Using Multilevel Models to Explore Predictors of Nonresponse From Experience Sampling Method Studies

• In Event: Multilevel Models

Abstract

This study, conducted in three mid-Michigan high schools in 2013-2014 with a sample of 140 students and 7,961 individual events, uses multilevel models to examine predictors of nonresponse when using the experience sampling method (ESM). Because ESM approaches often seek to compare participants’ emotional states across days and times, it is important to understand how and when participants may miss response opportunities, and further to explore how this response bias may limit generalizability. Results suggest that time of day and day of week are significantly related to a given participant’s odds of nonresponse, even after controlling for related covariates. This suggests that researchers who seek to compare widely different time contexts using ESM should be mindful of possible generalizability concerns.

Author

• Michael Broda, Virginia Commonwealth University