Think aloud protocol
Encyclopedia
Think-aloud protocol is a method used to gather data in usability testing
in product design and development, in psychology
and a range of social sciences (e.g., reading, writing and translation process research). The think-aloud method was introduced in the usability field by Clayton Lewis while he was at IBM
, and is explained in Task-Centered User Interface Design: A Practical Introduction by C. Lewis and J. Rieman. The method was developed based on the techniques of protocol analysis
by Ericsson and Simon.
Think aloud protocols involve participants thinking aloud as they are performing a set of specified tasks. Users are asked to say whatever they are looking at, thinking, doing, and feeling, as they go about their task. This enables observers to see first-hand the process of task completion (rather than only its final product). Observers at such a test are asked to objectively take notes of everything that users say, without attempting to interpret their actions and words. Test sessions are often audio and video taped so that developers can go back and refer to what participants did, and how they reacted.
The purpose of this method is to make explicit what is implicitly present in subjects who are able to perform a specific task.
A related but slightly different data-gathering method is the talk-aloud protocol. This involves participants only describing their action but not giving explanations. This method is thought to be more objective in that participants merely report how they go about completing a task rather than interpreting or justifying their actions (see the standard works by Ericsson & Simon).
As Kuusela and Paul state the thinking aloud protocol can be divided into two different experimental procedures: the first one, is the concurrent thinking aloud protocol, collected during the decision task; the second procedure is the retrospective thinking aloud protocol gathered after the decision task.
Usability testing
Usability testing is a technique used in user-centered interaction design to evaluate a product by testing it on users. This can be seen as an irreplaceable usability practice, since it gives direct input on how real users use the system...
in product design and development, in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and a range of social sciences (e.g., reading, writing and translation process research). The think-aloud method was introduced in the usability field by Clayton Lewis while he was at IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
, and is explained in Task-Centered User Interface Design: A Practical Introduction by C. Lewis and J. Rieman. The method was developed based on the techniques of protocol analysis
Protocol analysis
Protocol analysis is a psychological research method that elicits verbal reports from research participants. Protocol analysis is used to study thinking in cognitive psychology , cognitive science , and behavior analysis...
by Ericsson and Simon.
Think aloud protocols involve participants thinking aloud as they are performing a set of specified tasks. Users are asked to say whatever they are looking at, thinking, doing, and feeling, as they go about their task. This enables observers to see first-hand the process of task completion (rather than only its final product). Observers at such a test are asked to objectively take notes of everything that users say, without attempting to interpret their actions and words. Test sessions are often audio and video taped so that developers can go back and refer to what participants did, and how they reacted.
The purpose of this method is to make explicit what is implicitly present in subjects who are able to perform a specific task.
A related but slightly different data-gathering method is the talk-aloud protocol. This involves participants only describing their action but not giving explanations. This method is thought to be more objective in that participants merely report how they go about completing a task rather than interpreting or justifying their actions (see the standard works by Ericsson & Simon).
As Kuusela and Paul state the thinking aloud protocol can be divided into two different experimental procedures: the first one, is the concurrent thinking aloud protocol, collected during the decision task; the second procedure is the retrospective thinking aloud protocol gathered after the decision task.
See also
- Comparison of usability evaluation methodsComparison of usability evaluation methodsSource: Genise, Pauline. “Usability Evaluation: Methods and Techniques: Version 2.0” August 28, 2002. University of Texas.-See also:* Usability inspection* *Partial concurrent thinking aloud...
- Protocol analysisProtocol analysisProtocol analysis is a psychological research method that elicits verbal reports from research participants. Protocol analysis is used to study thinking in cognitive psychology , cognitive science , and behavior analysis...
- Partial concurrent thinking aloudPartial concurrent thinking aloudPartial Concurrent Thinking Aloud is a method used to gather data in usability testing with screen reader users...
- Retrospective Think AloudRetrospective Think AloudRetrospective Think Aloud is a technique used in usability, and eye tracking in particular, to gather qualitative information on the user intents and reasoning during a test...