English

Identification in the Random Utility Model

Theoretical Economics 2023-02-14 v5

Abstract

The random utility model is known to be unidentified, but there are times when the model admits a unique representation. We offer two characterizations for the existence of a unique random utility representation. Our first characterization puts conditions on a graphical representation of the data set. Non-uniqueness arises when multiple inflows can be assigned to multiple outflows on this graph. Our second characterization provides a direct test for uniqueness given a random utility representation. We also show that the support of a random utility representation is identified if and only if the representation itself is identified.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2102.05570,
  title  = {Identification in the Random Utility Model},
  author = {Christopher Turansick},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2102.05570},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

23 pages, 2 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-23T23:02:26.160Z