Experience Sampling Method

An ecological momentary assessment approach that helps understand and address the real-life experiences and needs

Experience Sampling Method (ESM), also called ecological momentary assessment, ambulatory assessment or intensive longitudinal assessment, is an innovative in-the-moment diary method that allows you to capture:

Objective experiences in real life (like what you're doing, who you're with, where you are)
Subjective experiences (such as your in-the-moment emotions, thoughts, and evaluations)

This amazing technique empowers participants to report their actions, thoughts, and feelings in real time, all within natural surroundings, over a period of time!

ESM Protocol - An Example

Participants carry a smartphone to respond to a brief ESM survey about their real-life experiences multiple times a day over several days. The survey is accessible through a mobile app (e.g., PIEL Survey App).

The mobile device is activated only during waking hours and not when participants are unable to respond.

While participants are encouraged to complete as many surveys as possible, they can skip notifications at inconvenient times.

Prior to the trial, participants attend a training session on how to use the app for survey completion.

For younger populations or individuals with cognitive limitations, cognitive debriefing may be conducted to assess their understanding of the survey items and response options.

For more information, please reach out to Dr Yu-Wei Ryan Chen or visit the Publications section concerning the use of ESM.

Advantages of ESM

Addressing limitations in conventional retrospective approaches

High ecological validity by capturing participants' real-life conditions in dynamic settings!
Minimise memory burdens and recall biases—this approach simplifies everything!
Enjoy a wealth of rich data covering mental state, quality of life, social networks and more, reducing the need for multiple questionnaires!
Benefit from reduced assessment errors with repeated measures over time, boosting the validity, reliability, and transparency of individual pattern evaluations!

Flexible design

Flexibility: Surveys customised to meet specific research/clinical requirements.
Decreased cognitive load: The survey questions are concise and clear, only “in-the-moment” data.
Facilitates the analysis and comprehension of the variability in participants’ behaviours, thoughts, and emotions.
Capable of exploring within-person processes.

Mulitiple applications

Assessment: Explore the depths of symptoms and emotions while investigating the vibrant interactions between individuals and their environments!
Services and Intervention: Analyse outcomes, implement impactful intervention strategies, and enhance self-monitoring and self-awareness! Empower individuals to effortlessly understand and apply essential insights to their daily lives—creating a remarkable impact!

Examples of Research/Clinical Questions to Be Answered by ESM

How frequently do anxiety/depression/psychotic symptoms occur within my research population?
In what situations do patients typically report experiencing heightened anxiety/depression? What triggers their anxiety/depression?
How does mood fluctuate over the course of the day? Why is there a fluctuation?
What is the intensity level of pain experienced by patients throughout the day?
What factors contribute to the variability in pain levels?