expect great answers

Kirsten

Kirsten Pijpers
Marketing & Sales Coordinator
Research Services & Software
Based in the Rotterdam office
+31 10 282 3500

ACA Hierarchical Bayes Estimation Module

In the last few years, leading academics have developed a new technique for estimating conjoint utilities called Hierarchical Bayes (HB). HB significantly improves conjoint analysis results. While improvements are most dramatic for traditional conjoint (CVA) and choice-based methods (CBC), ACA also benefits from HB estimation.

ACA/HB Specifications

    • The ACA/HB module improves the quality of each individual's utility estimates by "borrowing" information from other individuals. This translates to more accurate predictions of both individual choices and share estimations.
    • ACA has been criticized because of potential scale incompatibilities between the self-explicated priors and conjoint pairs segments of the interview. ACA/HB provides a more theoretically sound way of combining data from these two sections of the interview. Not only is the technique more defensible, but the results are generally better.
    • ACA/HB does a better job of estimating utilities for the levels not taken forward into pairs when using "Most Likelies" and "Unacceptables."
    • ACA surveys can be shorter. ACA/HB does not make use of the "calibration concept" questions asked at the end of ACA surveys. Therefore, unless you require "purchase likelihood" simulations, you can cut this optional section.

      System Requirements

      CBC/HB requires Windows XP or later.

      Server Requirements

      N/A