1. Quantitative Methods Workshop
Quantitative Methods Workshop
Reducing residential sector dependence on fossil fuels: a study of motivating factors
Sven Hallin
PhD Graduate
Thursday 16th June 2016
Supervisors:
Professor Thomas Weyman-Jones
Dr Elizabeth Hooper

2. Philosophical Research Perspective
Background
Philosophical Research Perspective ?
Positivist with some interpretivist content.

3. Methodological Choice in my PhD Research 1
Quantitative
7 Core UK Case Studies
Predictive measurement of their energy use
Actual measurement of their energy use
Temperature measurement in their dwellings
Assessment of their dwellings in terms of type, size, construction, etc.

4. UK householder case studies

5. Methodological Choice in my PhD Research 2
Qualitative
Semi-structured Interviews
Focus Group
Interviews were detailed, with questions designed to gather a rich data set which would explain participant’s motivations around energy use

6. Sampling Strategy
Available participants were limited due to time and cost
Attributes of participants were considered important
Detailed information was not available on the total sample population
The technique of “snowballing” was used to discover suitable candidates

7. Conclusion There was a lack of clarity around occupant behaviour
For example previous research postulated:
The Green Deal offered an economic incentive
Problems included potential negative NPV from retrofits (Hassett & Metcalf 1993)
People make poor choices and need to be nudged in the “right” direction (Thaler 1994)
Problems include convincing others what is right
A persons social identity determined their choices (Ackerlof & Kranton 2000, Vale & Vale 2010)
Problems include the time and method to influence social identity
People will respond to the “real” cost of carbon emissions, if it is priced into the market (Tol,2007, Stern 2009)
Problems include measuring the real cost
People are more risk averse to the prospect of losing money than gaining it because they look at potential values of outcomes rather than probabilities. Utility is reference based rather than additive (Kahneman 2011)
Problems include overcoming this heuristic (mental shortcut) bias

8. UK Case Studies Inferred Statement Mixed View Negative view
Positive View
Balance of view
People don't think that rationally 7
Positive
The government should nudge us in the right direction 1 4
Government regulation is important in residential energy use
Financial situation is the driver behind energy use 3
What is your attitude to the Green Deal
Uncertain
* Positive views agreed with the inferred statement, Negative views disagreed with the inferred statement, Uncertain views were mixed.
Participants all generally agreed that people don't necessarily think rationally, government regulation was important, finance was a key driver to energy use and that attitudes to the Green Deal were negative or mixed.

9. Thank you
Any Questions?