Distributional assumptions in mixed logit models: implications for welfare estimates in South China tiger conservation efforts
The mixed logit model is widely used in choice experiments to capture random variations in individual tastes; however, the predefined distributional forms significantly affect welfare estimates. This study addresses the lack of research on the effects of four common distributions (normal, log-normal...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Horizon Research Publishing
2025
|
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121035/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121035/1/121035.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848868278410149888 |
|---|---|
| author | Lee, Yuanyuan W. Mohamad, Wan Norhidayah Samdin, Zaiton Kong, Senquan |
| author_facet | Lee, Yuanyuan W. Mohamad, Wan Norhidayah Samdin, Zaiton Kong, Senquan |
| author_sort | Lee, Yuanyuan |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | The mixed logit model is widely used in choice experiments to capture random variations in individual tastes; however, the predefined distributional forms significantly affect welfare estimates. This study addresses the lack of research on the effects of four common distributions (normal, log-normal, triangular and uniform) on welfare estimates, attribute significance and model fit, particularly in the context of endangered species conservation. The results highlight visitors’ willingness to contribute financially to the South China tiger conservation, while also emphasizing the importance of identifying the optimal distribution in advance to avoid potentially biased welfare estimates and subsequent erroneous policy recommendations. Notably, except for the log-normal model, the other distributions yielded consistent estimates regarding attribute significance and preference. Interestingly, while the log-normal model fitted well, it yielded fewer significant attributes and lower welfare estimates. The triangular distribution performed best in terms of log-likelihood, pseudo-R2 and Akaike information criterion. This finding challenges the common use of normal distributions for mixed logit models and addresses the importance of developing mixed logit models with different distributions. Moreover, effective budget allocations based on visitors’ preferences for South China tiger conservation are recommended for policymakers. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:49:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-121035 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:49:51Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Horizon Research Publishing |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-1210352025-10-23T00:10:19Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121035/ Distributional assumptions in mixed logit models: implications for welfare estimates in South China tiger conservation efforts Lee, Yuanyuan W. Mohamad, Wan Norhidayah Samdin, Zaiton Kong, Senquan The mixed logit model is widely used in choice experiments to capture random variations in individual tastes; however, the predefined distributional forms significantly affect welfare estimates. This study addresses the lack of research on the effects of four common distributions (normal, log-normal, triangular and uniform) on welfare estimates, attribute significance and model fit, particularly in the context of endangered species conservation. The results highlight visitors’ willingness to contribute financially to the South China tiger conservation, while also emphasizing the importance of identifying the optimal distribution in advance to avoid potentially biased welfare estimates and subsequent erroneous policy recommendations. Notably, except for the log-normal model, the other distributions yielded consistent estimates regarding attribute significance and preference. Interestingly, while the log-normal model fitted well, it yielded fewer significant attributes and lower welfare estimates. The triangular distribution performed best in terms of log-likelihood, pseudo-R2 and Akaike information criterion. This finding challenges the common use of normal distributions for mixed logit models and addresses the importance of developing mixed logit models with different distributions. Moreover, effective budget allocations based on visitors’ preferences for South China tiger conservation are recommended for policymakers. Horizon Research Publishing 2025 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121035/1/121035.pdf Lee, Yuanyuan and W. Mohamad, Wan Norhidayah and Samdin, Zaiton and Kong, Senquan (2025) Distributional assumptions in mixed logit models: implications for welfare estimates in South China tiger conservation efforts. Environment and Ecology Research, 13 (3). pp. 371-383. ISSN 2331-625X; eISSN: 2331-6268 https://www.hrpub.org/journals/article_info.php?aid=15099 10.13189/eer.2025.130306 |
| spellingShingle | Lee, Yuanyuan W. Mohamad, Wan Norhidayah Samdin, Zaiton Kong, Senquan Distributional assumptions in mixed logit models: implications for welfare estimates in South China tiger conservation efforts |
| title | Distributional assumptions in mixed logit models: implications for welfare estimates in South China tiger conservation efforts |
| title_full | Distributional assumptions in mixed logit models: implications for welfare estimates in South China tiger conservation efforts |
| title_fullStr | Distributional assumptions in mixed logit models: implications for welfare estimates in South China tiger conservation efforts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distributional assumptions in mixed logit models: implications for welfare estimates in South China tiger conservation efforts |
| title_short | Distributional assumptions in mixed logit models: implications for welfare estimates in South China tiger conservation efforts |
| title_sort | distributional assumptions in mixed logit models: implications for welfare estimates in south china tiger conservation efforts |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121035/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121035/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121035/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121035/1/121035.pdf |