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Student preferences for assignment systems: Results from a discrete choice experiment in Irish universities

Author

Listed:
  • Edel Doherty

    (School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway)

  • Brendan Kennelly

    (School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway)

  • Darragh Flannery

    (Department of Economics, University of Limerick)

  • Stephen Kynes

    (School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway)

  • John Considine

    (Department of Economics, University College Cork)

Abstract

Data from a discrete choice experiment is used to explore preference heterogeneity associated with assignment systems between students in three universities in Ireland. The motivation for the study arises from recent technological advances which have led to a significant increase in the use of online assignment systems in disciplines such as economics and statistics. Despite this, little research exists to understand student preferences for online assignment systems and whether similarities emerge between students across universities. To investigate this issue, we employ latent class and random parameters logit models to explore both observed and unobserved heterogeneity in students’ tastes. Our findings reveal that significant heterogeneity in preferences is evident within and between students across the universities. The implications of this finding for the design of assignment systems are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Edel Doherty & Brendan Kennelly & Darragh Flannery & Stephen Kynes & John Considine, 2013. "Student preferences for assignment systems: Results from a discrete choice experiment in Irish universities," Working Papers WP052013, University of Limerick, Department of Economics, revised Sep 2013.
    • Handle: RePEc:lim:wpaper:052013
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

    Discrete choice experiment; Willingness to pay; Latent class model; Assignment systems; Student preferences;
    All these keywords.

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