The EAR sampled 30 seconds of sounds every 12.5 minutes yielding a total of more than 20,000 recordings. Researchers then listened to the recordings and identified the conversations as trivial small talk or substantive discussions. In addition, the volunteers completed personality and well-being assessments.

 　　 EAR 每12.5 分钟便会录下一段 30 秒长的声音，总共会产生2 万段以上的录音。然后研究员会听这些录音，并分辨出这些谈话是属于平常的闲聊还是属于实质性的讨论。另外，志愿者还要完成个人性格及安逸度的评估。