Cited by 3,843Mental Health Research TopicsPsychometric Methodologies and TestingAttachment and Relationship Dynamics

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Diary Methods: Capturing Life as it is Lived

Bolger, Niall, Davis, Angelina, Rafaeli, Eshkol·2003·Annual Review of Psychology

DOI 10.1146/annurev.psych.54.101601.145030

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Abstract

In diary studies, people provide frequent reports on the events and experiences of their daily lives. These reports capture the particulars of experience in a way that is not possible using traditional designs. We review the types of research questions that diary methods are best equipped to answer, the main designs that can be used, current technology for obtaining diary reports, and appropriate data analysis strategies. Major recent developments include the use of electronic forms of data collection and multilevel models in data analysis. We identify several areas of research opportunities: 1. in technology, combining electronic diary reports with collateral measures such as ambulatory heart rate; 2. in measurement, switching from measures based on between-person differences to those based on within-person changes; and 3. in research questions, using diaries to (a) explain why people differ in variability rather than mean level, (b) study change processes during major events and transitions, and (c) study interpersonal processes using dyadic and group diary methods.

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“Related terms include ecological momentary assessment, daily diary, intensive longitudinal assessment and ambulatory assessment [2–5].”

Authors: Bolger, N., Davis, A., & Rafaeli, E.
Affiliations: New York University (US)
ORCID: Bolger, Niall
Rafaeli, Eshkol
Venue: Annual Review of Psychology
Publisher: Annual Reviews
Published: 2003-02
Volume: 54
Issue: 1
Pages: 579-616
ISSN: 0066-4308 (ISSN-L)
1545-2085
DOI: 10.1146/annurev.psych.54.101601.145030
OpenAlex: W2166190112
Cited by: 3,843
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 210 · 2025: 205 · 2024: 203 · 2023: 161 · 2022: 212 · 2021: 257 · 2020: 282 · 2019: 207 · 2018: 204 · 2017: 214 · 2016: 177 · 2015: 215 · 2014: 180 · 2013: 206 · 2012: 195
FWCI: 5.68
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Annual Review of Psychology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH060366)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Keywords: diary method, everyday experience, within-person variability, ambulatory heart rate, multilevel models, within-person change, interpersonal processes, life transitions, data collection technology
MeSH terms: Data Collection, Humans, Individuality, Life Change Events, Medical Records, Personality Assessment, Software, User-Computer Interface, Writing

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Diary Methods: Capturing Life as it is Lived

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