Ambulatory assessment (AA) is
computer-assisted methodology for self-reports, behavior records or psychological measurements, while the subject undergoes normal activities in daily life.
AA is used in clinical psychology to investigate symptoms, predict recurrence or onset of new symptoms, monitor treatment effects, prevent relapse, and indicate necessary interventions.
In the early ambulatory assessment, personal digital assistants and
interactive voice response systems were used. They have now been replaced by
smartphone
A smartphone is a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities. It typically has a touchscreen interface, allowing users to access a wide range of applications and services, such as web browsing, email, and social media, as well as multi ...
s, and this has made the
data collection
Data collection or data gathering is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established system, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes. Data collection is a research com ...
more feasible.
Characteristics
# The recording takes place in real-life situations
# A computer-assisted methodology is widely used
# The evaluator attempts to minimise the method dependent reactivity and strives to achieve a high degree of
ecological balance
# The assessment can be continuous, event-based, interactive, time-based, or randomly prompted
# It is idiographic in focus and allows for the examination of multiple individual processes
The Ambulatory assessment can be applied in various areas of
psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Its subject matter includes the behavior of humans and nonhumans, both consciousness, conscious and Unconscious mind, unconscious phenomena, and mental processes such as thoughts, feel ...
and other
behavioral sciences
Behavioural science is the branch of science concerned with human behaviour.Hallsworth, M. (2023). A manifesto for applying behavioural science. ''Nature Human Behaviour'', ''7''(3), 310-322. While the term can technically be applied to the st ...
.
Modes of Data Collection
Event Controlled/Self-Report
The subject self-monitors the happenings of events and assess them whenever it occurs.
Varieties of devices are used to collect the data from the self reports.
The main concern with the self-report assessment is whether biases may influence the credibility of the results.
Time Controlled/Observational
In this mode, the subject follows the time-sampling schedule.
This mode provides the data through the observer’s point of view. Forms of Ambulatory assessment observational method are Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR),
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based hyperbolic navigation system owned by the United States Space Force and operated by Mission Delta 31. It is one of the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) that provide ge ...
(GPS) in phones or devices on the person. Light sensors to infer context, using video or sensors to detect interactions with others.
See also
*
Experience sampling method The experience sampling method (ESM), also referred to as a daily diary method, or ecological momentary assessment (EMA), is an intensive longitudinal research methodology that involves asking participants to report on their thoughts, feelings, beha ...
References
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Experimental psychology
Psychological methodology