Testing for independence of irrelevant alternatives some empirical results

In a recent article, Zhang and Hoffman discuss the use of discrete choice logit models in sociological research. In the present article, the authors estimate a multinomial logit model of U.K. Magistrates Courts sentencing using a data set collected by the National Association for the Care and Resett...

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Main Authors: Fry, T.R.L., Harris, Mark
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC 1998
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/81825
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author Fry, T.R.L.
Harris, Mark
author_facet Fry, T.R.L.
Harris, Mark
author_sort Fry, T.R.L.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description In a recent article, Zhang and Hoffman discuss the use of discrete choice logit models in sociological research. In the present article, the authors estimate a multinomial logit model of U.K. Magistrates Courts sentencing using a data set collected by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO) and test the independence of irrelevant alternatives (IIA) property using six tests. Conducting the tests with the appropriate large sample critical values, the authors find that the acceptance or rejection of IIA depends both on which test and which variant of a given test is used. The authors then use simulation techniques to assess the size and power performance of the tests. The empirical example is revisited with the inferences performed using empirical critical values obtained by simulation, and the resultant inferences are compared. The results show that empirical workers should exercise caution when testing for IIA.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-818252021-03-16T03:41:33Z Testing for independence of irrelevant alternatives some empirical results Fry, T.R.L. Harris, Mark Social Sciences Social Sciences, Mathematical Methods Sociology Mathematical Methods In Social Sciences MULTINOMIAL LOGIT MODEL SPECIFICATION TESTS PROPERTY In a recent article, Zhang and Hoffman discuss the use of discrete choice logit models in sociological research. In the present article, the authors estimate a multinomial logit model of U.K. Magistrates Courts sentencing using a data set collected by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO) and test the independence of irrelevant alternatives (IIA) property using six tests. Conducting the tests with the appropriate large sample critical values, the authors find that the acceptance or rejection of IIA depends both on which test and which variant of a given test is used. The authors then use simulation techniques to assess the size and power performance of the tests. The empirical example is revisited with the inferences performed using empirical critical values obtained by simulation, and the resultant inferences are compared. The results show that empirical workers should exercise caution when testing for IIA. 1998 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/81825 10.1177/0049124198026003005 English SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC restricted
spellingShingle Social Sciences
Social Sciences, Mathematical Methods
Sociology
Mathematical Methods In Social Sciences
MULTINOMIAL LOGIT MODEL
SPECIFICATION TESTS
PROPERTY
Fry, T.R.L.
Harris, Mark
Testing for independence of irrelevant alternatives some empirical results
title Testing for independence of irrelevant alternatives some empirical results
title_full Testing for independence of irrelevant alternatives some empirical results
title_fullStr Testing for independence of irrelevant alternatives some empirical results
title_full_unstemmed Testing for independence of irrelevant alternatives some empirical results
title_short Testing for independence of irrelevant alternatives some empirical results
title_sort testing for independence of irrelevant alternatives some empirical results
topic Social Sciences
Social Sciences, Mathematical Methods
Sociology
Mathematical Methods In Social Sciences
MULTINOMIAL LOGIT MODEL
SPECIFICATION TESTS
PROPERTY
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/81825