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Series:   Elements in Quantitative and Computational Methods for the Social Sciences

Interpreting Discrete Choice Models

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2022

Garrett Glasgow
Garrett Glasgow
Affiliation:
NERA Economic Consulting, New York

Summary

In discrete choice models the relationships between the independent variables and the choice probabilities are nonlinear, depending on both the value of the particular independent variable being interpreted and the values of the other independent variables. Thus, interpreting the magnitude of the effects (the “substantive effects”) of the independent variables on choice behavior requires the use of additional interpretative techniques. Three common techniques for interpretation are described here: first differences, marginal effects and elasticities, and odds ratios. Concepts related to these techniques are also discussed, as well as methods to account for estimation uncertainty. Interpretation of binary logits, ordered logits, multinomial and conditional logits, and mixed discrete choice models such as mixed multinomial logits and random effects logits for panel data are covered in detail. The techniques discussed here are general, and can be applied to other models with discrete dependent variables which are not specifically described here.
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Keywords

discrete choicefirst differencemarginal effectelasticityodds ratio
Type
Element
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Series: Elements in Quantitative and Computational Methods for the Social Sciences
Online ISBN: 9781108873000
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 12 May 2022

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Interpreting Discrete Choice Models
  • Garrett Glasgow, NERA Economic Consulting, New York
  • Online ISBN: 9781108873000
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Interpreting Discrete Choice Models
  • Garrett Glasgow, NERA Economic Consulting, New York
  • Online ISBN: 9781108873000
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Interpreting Discrete Choice Models
  • Garrett Glasgow, NERA Economic Consulting, New York
  • Online ISBN: 9781108873000
Available formats
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