This report, “Statistical Methods for the Analysis of Discrete Choice Experiments: A Report of the ISPOR Conjoint Analysis Good Research Practices Task Force Group,” specifically focuses on analyzing and interpreting data gathered by discrete-choice experiments (DCEs). DCEs are a type of stated-preference survey method that has soared in use to quantify priorities and values of patients, caregivers, physicians, and other health care decision makers. DCEs involve asking patients what they would do when confronted with a real-life situation that involves tradeoffs. The resulting scores quantitatively measure the patients’ priorities and the relative importance of different features of the treatment or health service.
For example, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new medical device for weight loss treatment taking into account the results of a DCE study that it conducted to evaluate the tradeoffs patients are willing to make among safety, effectiveness, and other aspects of a weight-loss device. This was the first FDA-sponsored study designed to obtain quantitative patient-preference evidence to be used to support a regulatory approval decision.1
While much good outcomes research is conducted using DCEs, it is critical that the data be properly analyzed and correctly interpreted for the results to be valid. If researchers misunderstand DCE data properties or the analysis method, they can draw incorrect conclusions. The Task Force addressed this issue by providing a solid explanation of DCE data fundamentals—how to set up the data, as well as the properties, advantages, and limitations of different statistical methods.
According to lead author and Task Force Chair, A. Brett Hauber, PhD, “We determined that a pragmatic introduction to different statistical analysis methods was needed—highlighting the differences among methods and identifying the strengths and limitations of each method.” In addition, the Task Force developed a useful tool for researchers, the ESTIMATE Checklist, composed of questions to consider when selecting the analysis method, describing the analysis, and interpreting the results.
The ISPOR Conjoint Analysis Good Research Practices Task Force builds on two previous ISPOR Task Force Reports, “Conjoint Analysis Applications in Health—A Checklist: A Report of the ISPOR Good Research Practices for Conjoint Analysis Task Force” and “Constructing Experimental Designs for Discrete-Choice Experiments: Report of the ISPOR Conjoint Analysis Experimental Design Good Research Practices Task Force.” Additional information on ISPOR Task Forces can be found here.
1 Ho MP, Gonzalez JM, Lerner HP, et al. Incorporating patient-preference evidence into regulatory decision making. Surg Endosc. 2015 Oct;29(10):2984-93. Epub 2015 Jan 1.
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