Using Experience Sampling Methodology to Collect Deep Data About Your Users

Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) is a type of longitudinal diary study that allows one to understand a person's experience in the moment. It combines the qualitative richness of longitudinal diary studies, artifacts of a field study, and quantitative data of a large-scale survey or app tracker. Using a free, open-source mobile app called "PACO (Personal Analytics COmpanion)," we can conduct ESM studies with participants anywhere in the world. These studies can be conducted after qualitative studies (e.g., ethnography, interviews) to ascertain how broadly your observations apply to your user population or they can be done in advance to identify insights you want to study in-person, in-depth. By combining these methodologies, you create a, deeper, more holistic understanding of your users. This workshop will give attendees the skills to design, conduct, and analyze data from ESM studies at any scale.