Optimal Number of Factors for Choice Experiments in Mining Community Consultation/Surveying
Department
Psychological Science
Major
Psychology
Research Advisor
Klein, Brandi
Awuah-Offei, Kwame, 1975-
Advisor's Department
Psychological Science
Second Advisor's Department
Mining Engineering
Funding Source
OURE Fellows Program
Abstract
This study used choice experiments of different variable ranges to investigate the optimal number of variables that should be used in choice experiments. Too many variables to consider on a choice experiment can increase participants’ cognitive load to the point that it becomes a burden, and they begin to make choices that aren’t in line with their actual beliefs. Choice experiments allow researchers to assess participants’ preferences regarding mining projects in their community. An online-based tool called Qualtrics was used to collect data (i.e., demographic information, choice experiment preferences, effort ratings, and difficulty ratings). Results indicate that participants exerted more mental effort as the number of variables increased from three to six, and they rated each level as significantly more difficult than the previous level. There is also some evidence that four variables is the optimal number of variables to use in choice experiments. These results suggest that mining communities that use choice experiments for community consultation should be aware of the demands of cognitive load and limit the number of variables they use to four.
Biography
Rachel is senior psychology student at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She is the treasurer of PsyCo, the Psychology Club on campus which discusses research on various topics during meetings. Also, she is an active member of Phi Sigma Rho. Philanthropy holds great value to Rachel, and she has participated in events on campus and in the St. Louis community. Rachel has assisted Dr. Klein with her spatial ability and math anxiety research. She works for Center for Learning and Autism Support Services (CLASS) as a behavioral therapist doing applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy with autistic children. Rachel hopes to attend graduate school focusing on Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Ethics and corporate social responsibility interest her most in this field.
Research Category
Social Sciences
Presentation Type
OURE Fellows Final Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Fellows 13-14 Final Stipend
Location
Carver Room
Presentation Date
16 Apr 2014, 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Optimal Number of Factors for Choice Experiments in Mining Community Consultation/Surveying
Carver Room
This study used choice experiments of different variable ranges to investigate the optimal number of variables that should be used in choice experiments. Too many variables to consider on a choice experiment can increase participants’ cognitive load to the point that it becomes a burden, and they begin to make choices that aren’t in line with their actual beliefs. Choice experiments allow researchers to assess participants’ preferences regarding mining projects in their community. An online-based tool called Qualtrics was used to collect data (i.e., demographic information, choice experiment preferences, effort ratings, and difficulty ratings). Results indicate that participants exerted more mental effort as the number of variables increased from three to six, and they rated each level as significantly more difficult than the previous level. There is also some evidence that four variables is the optimal number of variables to use in choice experiments. These results suggest that mining communities that use choice experiments for community consultation should be aware of the demands of cognitive load and limit the number of variables they use to four.
Comments
Joint project with Brittney Abel, Daykin Schnell, Jordan Versules