The data is collected through 7 valuation workshops implemented in 7 Irish municipalities during autumn 2014. The workshops encompassed several steps; first the participants were informed about cold-water coral (CWC), next they individually filled in a survey including a quiz on CWC and 12 choice cards, then they were divided into small groups and discussed the topic (CWC) in a systematic manner, then they filled in the survey individually again, and finally they filled in the survey a third time, but this time as a group. The dataset only contain survey responses from the two first times of filling in the survey.

Abstract: A criticism against traditional stated preference surveys is that people often make choices as members of social groups and as a result of deliberation. To explore the effects of deliberation and the robustness of traditional techniques a choice experiment was implemented as a series of valuation workshops where respondents were given information and an opportunity to discuss. They made their choices individually both before and after the group discussion. On average respondents state different preferences after the discussion compared to before, and the stated preferences become more homogenous. Being well informed about the good make you more open to deliberation.