原位體驗取樣方法是傳統社會科學研究方法的一種轉變，這種研究設計提供了一個新的研究取向，使得遊憩效益之探討開拓新的視野。休閒與遊憩研究領域應用體驗取樣設計之理由有二：(1)此方法能分辨情境之問題與人之問題，(2)比方法的研究結果能避免由於不正確的回憶與認知過程所產生的機誤。鑑於研究過程焦點放在活動的當下，體驗取樣設計之研究方法提供了傳統遊憩研究無法探討之遊憩情境資訊。

Experience sampling designs (in situ assessments) are part of a general diversification from traditional research methods within the social sciences. Such designs provide a nem perspective and allow exploration of research questions emerging from recreation benefits literature. The need for experience sampling designs in recreation and leisure exists because: (1) they distinguish between questions about situations and questions about persons; and (2) their minimum reliance on information associated with the inaccuracies of human memory and cognitive processing. Because of their focus on the present moment, ESM-related designs provide information about recreation situations largely inaccessible with traditional techniques.