Stated preference methods and STI policy studies: a foreground approach.

This article examines the ontological and epistemic foundations for integrating stated preference (SP) methods into Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy studies and evaluation, contrasting them with the traditionally dominant revealed preference (RP) approaches. SP methods, which include contingent valuation and discrete choice experiments, are highlighted as valuable tools for analyzing social preferences related to public goods and complex societal challenges that conventional market-based data cannot adequately address. The discussion situates SP methods within various STI policy ontologies—from neo-classical to transformative innovation policies—emphasizing their potential to enhance participatory, adaptive, and socially informed policy-making processes. The article proposes that combining SP and RP methods can support a more holistic and flexible STI policy cycle, particularly in addressing grand societal challenges and sustainability transitions, and calls for further interdisciplinary research to develop a Smart Transformative Innovation Policy and Evaluation (STIPE) framework.