ABSTRACT

Intensive longitudinal methods allow researchers to gather data in close to real time from people as they go about daily life in the real world. Thus, they are tools for understanding variability in perceptions and experiences within people and how that relates to context. This chapter provides a taxonomy to organize the various types of these methods along dimensions of content focus (experience, context, behavior, or physiological functioning), perspective (self or observer), form of data (quantitative or qualitative), timing of data recordings (variable, fixed, event contingent, or continuous), and the role of the participant (active or passive). The logistics of implementing the experience sampling method, including the use of smartphones and other technological tools, are described as a prototype for all of these methods. The characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of other methodological variations are also summarized; these methods include daily diaries, the Day Reconstruction Method, event contingent recording, photovoice, activity monitoring, acoustic sampling, ambulatory assessment of physiological functioning, and ecological momentary assessment.