IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Jan 2000

Thinking aloud: reconciling theory and practice

T. Boren ; J. Ramey

Abstract

Thinking-aloud protocols may be the most widely used method in usability testing, but the descriptions of this practice in the usability literature and the work habits of practitioners do not conform to the theoretical basis most often cited for it: K.A. Ericsson and H.A. Simon's (1984) seminal work. After reviewing Ericsson and Simon's theoretical basis for thinking aloud, we review the ways in which actual usability practice diverges from this model. We then explore the concept of speech genre as an alternative theoretical framework. We first consider uses of this new framework that are consistent with Ericsson and Simon's goal of eliciting a verbal report that is as undirected, undisturbed and constant as possible. We then go on to consider how the proposed new approach might handle problems that arise in usability testing that appear to require interventions not supported in the older model.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2000-01-01
DOI
10.1109/47.867942
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
genre theory technical communication
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (13)

  1. May (2019)
    YouTube Gamers and Think-Aloud Protocols: Introducing Usability Testing
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  4. Elling et al. (2012)
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  5. Andrews et al. (2012)
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    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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    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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  3. Cooke (2010)
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  4. Still et al. (2010)
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  5. Still et al. (2010)
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  6. Haak et al. (2006)
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  7. Krahmer (2004)
    Thinking About Thinking Aloud: A Comparison of TwoVerbal Protocols for Usabilit…
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  8. Johnson-Eilola et al. (2001)
    Sketching a Framework for Graduate Education in Technical Communication
    Technical Communication Quarterly

References (29) · 1 in this index

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CrossRef global citation count: 489 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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