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Abstract
In some, but not all, contexts, respondents to stated preference valuation studies state a willingness
to pay (WTP) higher than what lab or field experiments indicate is the actual amount they would
pay. However, several ex ante survey design strategies and ex post calibration techniques can
be used to minimize or eliminate hypothetical bias. This article reviews and presents evidence
on the effectiveness of these ex ante and ex post approaches. The ex ante approaches lead to
recommendations to modify survey designs to minimize the bias up front. If the analyst desires,
ex post calibration of WTP using certainty scales can be used to reduce stated WTP to the point
at which it will match actual cash contributions.