Recommendations for Reporting Sample and Measurement Information in Experience Sampling Studies

Over the last couple of decades, studies using the experience sampling methodology (ESM) have been used with increasing frequency within the management-related sciences as the method allows researchers the opportunity to investigate questions involving ongoing, dynamic, intra-individual processes. Given the longitudinal nature of the methodology and the resulting multi-level data structure, there are sample- and measurement-related issues that make ESM studies different from other methods commonly used in management research. Consequently, ESM studies have demands for reporting sample- and measurement-related information that differ from more commonly used methods. In the current paper, we review the conceptual foundations of sample and measurement issues in ESM studies and report the findings of a survey of the ESM studies to identify current reporting practices. We then offer clear, easy to implement recommendations for reporting sample- and measurement-related aspects of ESM studies. We hope that these recommendations will improve reporting of ESM studies and allow readers the opportunity to more fully and comprehensively evaluate the research presented.