Quantifying biopsychosocial aspects in everyday contexts: an integrative methodological approach from the behavioral sciences

Figures & data

Table 1 An abridged list of research methods and techniques for studying daily life

Method/technique*	Reference†	Citation counts‡
		PubMed	PsycINFO§
Experience sampling method	Hektner et al^Citation56	213 (1981)	383 (1981)
Ecological momentary assessment	Shiffman et al^Citation27	501 (1996)	549 (1994)
Ambulatory assessment	Fahrenberg et al^Citation40	131 (1981)	107 (1995)
Intensive repeated measures in naturalistic settings	Moskowitz et al^Citation41	1 (2015)	1 (2009)
Naturalistic observation sampling	Mehl et al^Citation23	0	2 (2007)

Notes:

* This column shows the literal terms used in our database searches;

† one sample study is provided for each type of method;

‡ accessed February 1, 2015. The number in parentheses refers to the year in which the first study of this type was published;

§ peer-reviewed journals only.

Table 2 Classification of research methods and techniques for studying daily life by type of variable and level of participation

	Type of variable^Citation57
	Experience	Behavior	Physiology
Maximum participation (Self-observation)	[1.1] Experiences are self-observed by participants (eg, perceived risk)	[1.2] Behaviors are self-observed by participants (eg, smoking)	[1.3] Samples are collected by participants (eg, saliva samples)
Minimum participation (Hetero-observation)	[2.1]* Experiences are inferred through observation (eg, sighing as an indicator of unease)	[2.2]* Behaviors are measured without the participation of the person being observed (eg, physical activity inferred from data from a pedometer, mother–child interactions inferred from a video recording)	[2.3] Samples are collected without the direct participation of the person being observed (eg, heart activity through a Holter monitor)

Note:

* Optimal observational methodology profile shown cells [2,1] and [2,2].

HektnerJMSchmidtJACsikszentmihalyiMExperience Sampling Method: Measuring the Quality of Everyday LifeThousand Oaks, CASAGE Publications, Inc2007

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ShiffmanSStoneAAHuffordMREcological momentary assessmentAnnu Rev Clin Psychol2008413218509902

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FahrenbergJMyrtekMPawlikKPerrezMAmbulatory assessment – monitoring behavior in daily life settings: a behavioral-scientific challenge for psychologyEur J Psychol Assess2007234206213

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MoskowitzDSRussellJJSadikajGSuttonRMeasuring people intensivelyCanadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne2009503131140

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MehlMRPennebakerJWCrowDMDabbsJPriceJHThe Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR): a device for sampling naturalistic daily activities and conversationsBehav Res Methods Instrum Comput200133451752311816455

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