Mountain Home Music: A Combined Revealed-Stated Preference Study with a Test of Predictive Validity

First Name: 
Elizabeth
Last Name: 
Marquardt
Major Department: 
Economics/Secondary Education
Thesis Director: 
John Whitehead
Date of Thesis: 
Dec 2011

This paper conducts a benefit-cost analysis for Mountain Home Music, a non-profit that hosts concerts of local traditional music located in Watauga County, North Carolina.  The analysis is based on a survey given to patrons of Mountain Home Music and uses the combined revealed-stated preference method. A follow-up survey generating entirely revealed preference data was used for a test of predictive validity by comparing the revealed-stated preference data with the revealed preference data. The study found that Mountain Home Music generates positive net benefits and that the combined revealed-stated preference method can be used to provide accurate results.