Using the Methods of Ecological Momentary Assessment in Substance Dependence Research—Smoking Cessation as a Case Study

Abstract

Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is the name applied to any of a range of research methodologies that aim to assess participants in near real time as they go about their regular day-to-day activities. Such methods have particular utility for studying drug use and drug dependence. Using the area of nicotine dependence as a case study, this review highlights how EMA can be used to build upon the findings from more traditional research methods to enhance our understanding of drug use. Particular attention is given to the role that advances in technology have played in the adoption of EMA in drug dependence research.

Keywords :

• ecological momentary assessment (EMA)
• smoking cessation
• review

THE AUTHORS

Stuart G. Ferguson, Ph.D., currently works as a senior research fellow at the University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. He previously completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pitsburgh working in the Smoking Research Group. He completed his undergraduate degree in Australia before receiving his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. His primary research interest is the process of drug relapse.

Saul Shiffman has a Ph.D., in clinical psychology from the University of California at Los Angeles. He is currently Research Professor of psychology (in the programs in clinical and health psychology), psychiatry, and pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. He also serves as Senior Scientific Advisor to Pinney Associates, a science and policy consultancy, and is a cofounder of invivodata, Inc., a company that provides electronic diary services for research. Dr. Shiffman's scientific interests include drug dependence and relapse (particularly in tobacco use) and methods for real-time data collection.