ExperienceSampler: An Open-Source Scaffold for Building Smartphone Apps for Experience Sampling

Experience sampling methods allow researchers to examine phenomena in daily life and provide various advantages that complement traditional laboratory methods. However, existing experience sampling methods may be costly, require constant Internet connectivity, may not be designed specifically for experience sampling studies, or require a custom solution from a computer programming consultant. In this article, we present ExperienceSampler, an open-source scaffold for creating experience-sampling smartphone apps designed for Android and iOS devices. We designed ExperienceSampler to address the common barriers to using experience sampling methods. First, there is no cost to the user. Second, ExperienceSampler apps make use of local notifications to let participants know when to complete surveys and store the data locally until Internet connection is available. Third, our app scaffold was designed with experience sampling methodological issues in mind. We also demonstrate how researchers can easily customize ExperienceSampler even if they have no programming skills. Furthermore, we evaluate the utility of ExperienceSampler apps with results from one social psychological study conducted using ExperienceSampler (N = 168). Mean response rates averaged 84%, and the median response latency was 9 minutes. Taken together, ExperienceSampler creates cost-effective smartphone apps that can be easily customized by researchers to examine experiences in daily life. Translational Abstract Researchers are able to capture human behavior as it unfolds in daily life using a method called experience sampling. Experience sampling is used to "sample" from participant "experiences" by asking them to complete short surveys throughout the day. Although experience sampling has become increasingly popular with the rise of smartphones, there are obstacles to doing research with experience sampling (e.g., high costs, dependence on cellular or Internet connectivity, limited to one type of smartphone). This article presents a method for creating customized smartphone apps for experience sampling, called ExperienceSampler. We provide a practical guide to the software and services needed to setup and implement an ExperienceSampler app, an overview of our online tutorial (www.experiencesampler.com) for using ExperienceSampler, and initial evidence regarding the effectiveness of an experience sampling study conducted with an ExperienceSampler app (e.g., participant compliance, mean response rate). By introducing ExperienceSampler, we hope to remove barriers that prevent researchers from conducting experience sampling studies; experience sampling studies provide valuable insights into how behavioral processes unfold within each person in a variety of daily contexts and thus help researchers develop better theories informed by high-resolution data.