Question
What is Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)?
Answer
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a research method used to gather data on individuals' behaviors, emotions, and experiences in real time within their natural environments. This approach is particularly valuable in psychology and behavioral sciences because it captures data as it occurs, reducing the recall bias often associated with retrospective self-reports. By using technology such as smartphones or wearable devices, EMA enables researchers and clinicians to repeatedly sample a client’s behaviors and feelings, providing a detailed and dynamic view of the client’s life as it unfolds.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar, Artificial Intelligence in Social Work: Ethical Issues and Challenges, presented by Frederic G. Reamer, PhD
