Experience Sampling Method in a Qualitative Study of Tourists' Smartphone Use

This chapter explores the use of Experience Sampling Method (ESM) in a qualitative research design, departing from reflections on ontological and epistemological aspects of the tourist experience. It suggests that the tourist experience can be studied in its ordinary moments and proposes the use of ESM to capture such experience of “everydayness”. The chapter illustrates how the method can be used and provides some guidelines for its implementation, drawing examples from a qualitative study on tourists’ smartphone use that combines ESM questionnaires with semi-structured interviews. ESM consists of sending participants several micro-questionnaires at random times during their trip, asking questions about their experience and perceptions. Thanks to modern mobile technologies the method can be used on participants’ own smartphones, through various programmable applications. The method allows to inquire into aspects of experience that the participants themselves may not be aware of, or may fail to recollect after the trip, thus increasing ecological validity and reducing recall bias.