ESM-Q: A consensus-based quality assessment tool for experience sampling method items

The experience sampling method (ESM) is increasingly used by researchers from various disciplines to answer novel questions about individuals’ daily lives. Measurement best practices have long been overlooked in ESM research, and recent reviews show that item quality is often not reported in ESM studies. The absence of information about item quality may be partly explained by the lack of consensus on how ESM item quality should be evaluated.

Citation:
Eisele G, Hiekkaranta A, Kunkels YK, …….. Modecki KL, Müller F, et al. ESM-Q: A consensus-based quality assessment tool for experience sampling method items. Behavior Research Methods. 2025;57(4):124.

Keywords:
Ambulatory assessment; Ecological momentary assessment; Delphi study; Item quality criteria; Questionnaire development

Abstract:
The experience sampling method (ESM) is increasingly used by researchers from various disciplines to answer novel questions about individuals’ daily lives. Measurement best practices have long been overlooked in ESM research, and recent reviews show that item quality is often not reported in ESM studies. The absence of information about item quality may be partly explained by the lack of consensus on how ESM item quality should be evaluated.