IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Sep 2010

Assessing Concurrent Think-Aloud Protocol as a Usability Test Method: A Technical Communication Approach

Lynne Cooke West Chester University

Abstract

Concurrent think-aloud protocol (CTA) is often used in usability test settings to gain insight into participants' thoughts during their task performances. This study adds to a growing body of research within technical communication that addresses the use of think-aloud protocols in usability test settings. The eye movements and verbalizations of 10 participants were recorded as they searched for information on a website. The analysis of transcripts and real-time eye movement showed that CTA is an accurate data-collection method. The researcher found that the majority of user verbalizations in the study included words, phrases, and sentences that users read from the screen. Silence and verbal fillers that occurred during CTA enabled users to assess and process information during their searches. This study demonstrates the value technical communicators add to the study of usability test methods, and the paper recommends future avenues of research.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2010-09-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2010.2052859
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication qualitative research
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (7)

  1. Shivener et al. (2025)
    Capturing the Experiences of Simulated Writing for Novice Virtual Reality Users
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  3. May (2019)
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  4. Chong (2018)
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  5. Elling et al. (2012)
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  1. McDonald et al. (2012)
    Exploring Think-Alouds in Usability Testing: An International Survey
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  2. Redish (2010)
    Technical Communication and Usability: Intertwined Strands and Mutual Influences
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Cites in this index (6)

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    Constructive Interaction: An Analysis of Verbal Interaction in a Usability Setting
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Krahmer (2004)
    Thinking About Thinking Aloud: A Comparison of TwoVerbal Protocols for Usabilit…
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  3. Jong et al. (2000)
    Toward a document evaluation methodology: what does research tell us about the …
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  4. Boren et al. (2000)
    Thinking aloud: reconciling theory and practice
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  5. Sullivan (1989)
    Beyond a narrow conception of usability testing
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Show all 6 →
  1. Redish (1989)
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    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
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CrossRef global citation count: 118 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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