An Introduction to Computerized Experience Sampling in Psychology

Abstract

Experience-sampling procedures enable researchers to record the momentary thoughts, feelings, and actions of people in daily life. The authors explain how palmtop computers have expanded the repertoire of experience-sampling techniques and reduced or eliminated some traditional problems with pen-and-paper methods. As a running example, they illustrate the capabilities of the Experience Sampling Program (ESP), their configurable, freely distributable software environment for designing and running experience-sampling studies on Palm Pilots and Windows CE palmtops.