"Obtaining accurate information about behaviors, symptoms, and experiences is critical in many areas of behavioral and biomedical research and in clinical practice. Because it has been historically difficult to obtain unbiased reports from research volunteers and patients about their pain, mood, substance abuse history, or dietary habits, to name just a few examples, rigorous methodological techniques have been developed in the last decade to improve the reliability and accuracy of these self-reports.

This book presents cutting-edge research on optimal methods for obtaining self-reported information for use in the evaluation of scientific hypothesis, in therapeutic interventions, and in the developments of prognostic indicators."--BOOK JACKET.