We address function misspecification and model heterogeneity, two critical issues in empirical work. A nonparametric approach is proposed for single-index, binary-choice models when parametric models such as Probit and Logit are potentially misspecified. The new approach involves two steps: first, we estimate index coefficients using sliced inverse regression without knowing the conditional pro...

For 1-bounded nets, equivalent syntax have been given by Grabowski [8], Garg and Ragunath [7] and other authors Lodaya [14]. We work with 1-bounded, labelled free choice nets given with an S-cover, where the labels come from a distributed alphabet and S-components of the associated S-cover respect the alphabet distribution. In earlier work [21], we provided expressions for free choice nets havi...

This study used cumulative results to update the distributions from which offer amounts were drawn in a dichotomous choice contingent valuation of user benefits from wilderness canoeing in Ontario’s wilderness parks. An empirical model demonstrates the efficiency gains from using this procedure. Results allow comparison of variation in average daily willingness to pay (WTP) by trip length, indi...

This essay develops a new method to diagnose inconsistency in dichotomous choice contingent valuation with follow-up questions: in particular, downward bias in the mean WTP. It is shown that the previous methods aimed to explain this inconsistency in responses have ignored statistical inconsistency: non-perfect correlation between the initial and follow-up responses and thus have provided wrong...

Male choice is much less studied than female choice (Andersson 1994). However, males are expected to exhibit choice over mating partners when females differ in fecundity, the operational sex ratio is female biased or the risk of sperm competition differs between females (Parker 1983; Andersson 1994). Most commonly observed male mating preferences are those that maximize a male’s expected fertil...

The existence of individual variation in males' motivation to mate remains a conundrum as directional selection should favour high mating frequencies. Balancing selection resulting from (context-dependent) female mate choice could contribute to the maintenance of this behavioural polymorphism. In dichotomous choice tests, mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) females preferred virtual males showing...

This course is an introduction to the mainstay of quantitative empirical work in political science, the linear regression model. We begin by putting the regression model in context by discussing causation, generalization, and quasi-experimentation. We then introduce the basic two-variable regression model, discuss its assumptions, and learn how to test hypotheses with it. This is followed by th...

Silvopasture is considered as an environmentally benign land use system relative to conventional cattle ranching. However, most of the environmental benefits of silvopasture are external while the costs are internal to ranchers providing ranchers little or no motivation to implement silvopasture practices. We assessed Florida ranchers’ willingness to adopt silvopasture practices using a dichoto...