Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Measuring the Subjective Value of Risky and Ambiguous Options using Experimental Economics and Functional MRI Methods
Published on: September 19, 2012
Understanding how adults and adolescents value children's health states: a qualitative exploration using Discrete
Alice Yu1, Yiting Luo1, Mina Bahranpour1
1Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Level 5, Building 20, 100 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW, 2008, Australia.
Background:
Discrete choice experiment (DCE) methods are increasingly used to generate value sets for paediatric health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments, typically relying on latent scale DCE choice tasks and external data anchoring. This study used qualitative methods to: 1) examine how adults and adolescents (12-17) complete both latent scale DCE and DCE with duration; 2) explore the use of different perspectives ('self' or '10-year-old'); and 3) assess DCE valuation of three paediatric HRQoL instruments (CHU9D, EQ-5D-Y-5L, HUI3).
Methods:
Ninety-four participants (47 adolescents and 47 adults) were interviewed via Zoom in six iterative rounds (10-20 interviews per round), incorporating think-aloud and structured elements. Findings informed subsequent interview rounds. DCE choice tasks varied by inclusion of a duration attribute, perspective, and HRQoL instrument. Thematic analysis was used for interview data.
Results:
DCE tasks with duration were feasible for adolescents aged 12-17, and duration helped participants clarify priorities. The CHU9D and HUI3 were found to be more comprehensive in covering the aspects of quality of life. The EQ-5D-Y-5L was favoured in DCE choice tasks for its brevity. Choice tasks involving HUI3 states were found to be difficult to understand. Quality of life, length of life, perspective and non-health considerations influenced decision-making.
Conclusions:
These results can inform the development of valuation protocols in healthcare decision-making. Notably, adolescents as young as 12 can value health using DCE with duration, supporting the creation of adolescent-specific value sets when required.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Decision Making: P-value Method
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can...
01:20Study Designs in Epidemiology
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
01:50Cross-Sectional Research
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
01:12What is an Experiment?
01:16Crossover Experiments
Crossover designs are performed even with smaller sample sizes since the samples can act as their controls. These are better than simple randomized trials since patients are exposed to all the treatments.