Experience Sampling Method (ESM) in UX

Capturing Real-Time User Insights to Build Better Experiences

The Experience Sampling Method (ESM), also referred to as ecological momentary assessment (EMA), is a research technique that has gained significant traction in User Experience (UX) design. Originally developed in the 1980s by psychologists Reed Larson and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi to study people’s experiences in natural settings, ESM involves asking participants to report their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors at specific times or in response to specific cues. With the advent of smartphones, this method has become increasingly accessible, allowing UX researchers to capture real-time data on user interactions with products and services.

What Is the Experience Sampling Method (ESM)?

The ESM is a research technique that involves prompting users at random intervals to record their thoughts, feelings, and activities in real-time. This approach minimizes reliance on memory, reducing the risk of recall bias and providing a more accurate picture of user experiences.

The method was pioneered by Larson and Csikszentmihalyi, who initially used pagers to signal participants during waking hours for a week, creating an archival file of daily experiences. Today, technological…