Extended axiomatic conjoint measurement: A solution to a methodological problem in studying fertility-related behaviors

Abstract

This paper has three purposes: (1) to develop a methodology based on axiomatic conjoint measurement to accompany the McClelland (1980) fertility decision- making model; (2) to demonstrate the use of the methodology by applying it to the study of a specific fertility-related behavior (contraceptive choice); and (3) to evaluate the usefulness and validity of the model and its methodology for studying fertility-related behaviors. The within-persons methodology developed is contrasted with the across-persons methodology customarily used to test expectancy-value models of behavior. Index terms: Conjoint measurement, Contraception, Decision making, Expectancy-value models, Preference models, Within-persons analysis.