Ecological Momentary Assessment: Methodological implications for occupational therapy research

Background: This presentation describes the process of developing and evaluating of an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data collection instrument to explore the impact of substance use on occupational performance and... [ view full abstract ]

Background: This presentation describes the process of developing and evaluating of an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data collection instrument to explore the impact of substance use on occupational performance and quality of experience. EMA is methodological approach designed to collect qualitative and quantitative data in real-time within situated contexts.

Method: Research participants are electronically provided with an instruction manual regarding the process data collection. Data collection involves surveys and written narrative accounts. EMA data is collected off-line and each entry is automatically time-stamped. It is not possible for participants to revise entries after they are submitted.

Results: The evaluation results about the utility of the EMA instrument will be presented. The analysis will address, i) the quality of data collected, ii) the process of data collection, and ii) participant feedback regarding ease of use of the instrument and perceived accuracy of information provided. Participant feedback will be sought regarding the process of using the instrument, ease of use, appropriateness of design, perceived accuracy of data provided, and recommendations for modifications to the instrument.

Conclusion: EMA is a practical methodological approach for occupation-related research. Advantages include reduced need for cognitive recall, access to longitudinal data, real-time data analysis, access to geographically disperse participants, and data security. Disadvantages include the need for participants to have access to appropriate technology, design restrictions when using existing software, and high cost of developing research-specific software.

Application to Practice: Access to real-time data can strengthen the quality of occupation-related research and thereby better inform evidence-informed practice.