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Compliance with ecological momentary assessment protocols and its effects on study data

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-24, 13:35 authored by Morris, IS, Mai FrandsenMai Frandsen, Stuart FergusonStuart Ferguson

Objective: It is commonly noted that non-compliance with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) protocols has the potential to systematically bias study data. The purpose of this study was to document the relationship between three measures of protocol compliance - namely, responding to random prompts, logging events, and daily monitoring duration -, and to explore their impact on self-reported affect, arousal and craving.

Methods: Data were taken from a multi-site study interested in the social determinants of smoking. Participants (n=73) used study-issued smartphones to monitor their smoking and activities in real time for up to four weeks (M=27.2 days per participant).

Results: On average participants responded to 77% of random prompts per day, however on a third of all monitoring days fewer than 75% of random prompts were completed; this accounted for less than two thirds of days during which any non-compliant behaviour was observed. Compliance with study protocols did not predict mean daily levels of affect, arousal or craving, but did predict both range and maximum values of these variables.

Conclusions: The assessment of random prompt compliance may not be an adequate proxy measure of other forms of non-compliant behaviour. Researchers should take care to monitor participant compliance with study protocols as poor compliance may impact on data quality.

FUNDING: This work was supported by an internal grant from the University of Tasmania awarded to Dr Ferguson.

JUSTIFICATION: It is important to understand how compliance with study protocols can impact on study data.

Funding

National Health & Medical Research Council

History

Pagination

234

Department/School

School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Event title

Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco 21st Annual Meeting

Event Venue

Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Date of Event (Start Date)

2015-02-25

Date of Event (End Date)

2015-02-28

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified

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