Momentary Assessment Protocol
Structured procedure for collecting real-time behavioral and psychological data from participants in their natural environments.
Full Definition
A systematic methodology for gathering ecological momentary data through smartphones, wearable devices, or other mobile technologies. These protocols specify timing of prompts, question formats, response options, and compliance monitoring procedures. Momentary assessment protocols are designed to minimize recall bias and capture temporal fluctuations in symptoms, behaviors, and environmental factors. They typically include signal-contingent prompts at random intervals, interval-contingent prompts at fixed times, and event-contingent prompts triggered by specific occurrences. Proper protocol design balances data richness with participant burden to maximize compliance and data quality.
Usage
Usage note: Refers to the structured procedure itself, not the data collection method.
In Context
- "The momentary assessment protocol included four daily prompts and event-triggered entries for craving episodes." — Research protocol documentation
- "Compliance with the momentary assessment protocol exceeded 80% across all participants." — Data quality report