Which type of preference assessment involves presenting options without removing previously chosen items?

The correct answer is multiple stimulus with replacement. This type of preference assessment allows individuals to choose from a set of stimuli, and after a choice is made, the chosen item is returned to the array of available options. This method enables repeated selection of the same item across trials and can provide valuable insights into the individual's consistent preferences.

In contrast, other methods operate differently. The paired choice assessment presents two items at a time, and once a selection is made, the process does not allow for the same items to be reconsidered in subsequent pairs. Multiple stimulus without replacement means that once an item is chosen, it is removed from the option set, preventing any possibility of selecting it again in that session. Free operant assessment involves observing preferences based on free access to all items but does not involve structured choices like the multiple stimulus with replacement format.

Understanding why multiple stimulus with replacement is effective is important, as it can reveal stable preferences over time while allowing individuals to choose items they enjoy repeatedly.