Graduation Year
2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Kelsey L. Merlo, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Brenton M. Wiernik, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Fallon R. Goodman, Ph.D.
Keywords
Aberrant Responding, Detection Methods, ESM, Insufficient Effort Responding
Abstract
In the current study we examine the prevalence and several predictors of careless responding to an experience sampling (ESM) study. While careless responding has been noted as a potential problem in ESM research, few studies have examined the prevalence of this behavior (Beal, 2015; Berkel et al., 2017; Eisele et al., 2020; Gabriel et al., 2019; Jaso et al., 2021). Using statistical methods of careless response classification, we derive cut scores from data simulation and graphical examination of item correlations, and flag 44.98% of response episodes as careless. A majority of these flagged episodes were the product of overly consistent response patterns, such as long strings of identical responses or low variance response patterns. Further analyses revealed that careless responding increased significantly over time and was associated with several personality variables. Taken together, these results indicate that careless responding is a serious issue in ESM studies and is related to both study-level and individual-level factors.
Scholar Commons Citation
Denison, Alexander J., "Prevalence and Predictors of Careless Responding in Experience Sampling Research" (2022). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/9341
