Contingent Valuation: A User's Guide by Richard T. Carson, University of California, San Diego, 1999. This paper discusses the method of contingent valuation (CV), a survey-based approach used to assign monetary values to environmental goods and services not typically traded in markets. CV is often the only feasible method for incorporating passive use values into economic analyses, though it has been controversial. The paper addresses the debate over whether passive use values should be included in economic assessments and examines key design and implementation issues in CV studies. It outlines the factors that should be considered when evaluating the quality of a CV study, including the survey instrument, the relevant population, sample size, response rate, and data analysis methods. The paper also discusses technical issues surrounding CV, such as the reliability of results, the sensitivity of WTP estimates to the scope of the good, and the challenges of incorporating data from both stated and revealed preference approaches. It concludes that while CV can provide valuable information for policymakers, further research is needed to improve its reliability and reduce costs. The paper highlights the importance of careful survey design and the need for a balanced approach to incorporating passive use values in economic analyses.Contingent Valuation: A User's Guide by Richard T. Carson, University of California, San Diego, 1999. This paper discusses the method of contingent valuation (CV), a survey-based approach used to assign monetary values to environmental goods and services not typically traded in markets. CV is often the only feasible method for incorporating passive use values into economic analyses, though it has been controversial. The paper addresses the debate over whether passive use values should be included in economic assessments and examines key design and implementation issues in CV studies. It outlines the factors that should be considered when evaluating the quality of a CV study, including the survey instrument, the relevant population, sample size, response rate, and data analysis methods. The paper also discusses technical issues surrounding CV, such as the reliability of results, the sensitivity of WTP estimates to the scope of the good, and the challenges of incorporating data from both stated and revealed preference approaches. It concludes that while CV can provide valuable information for policymakers, further research is needed to improve its reliability and reduce costs. The paper highlights the importance of careful survey design and the need for a balanced approach to incorporating passive use values in economic analyses.