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Software Engineering vocabulary · Testing

Think-aloud protocol

Meaning in software engineering, with examples

nounCommon term

In software engineering, think-aloud protocol means: A testing technique in which participants say what they are thinking, looking for and feeling while they use a product, so researchers can follow their reasoning.

In Turkish: sesli düşünme protokolü, sesli düşünme yöntemi

How it is used

The standard technique in moderated usability tests. The moderator asks participants to think aloud and gently reminds them ('What are you thinking now?') when they go quiet. People also say 'think-aloud session' or 'think-aloud test'.

Example sentences

  1. We used the think-aloud protocol, so every session recording includes the participant's comments.

  2. The think-aloud protocol revealed that users read 'Archive' as 'Delete'.

Common collocations

  • use the think-aloud protocol
  • think-aloud session
  • ask participants to think aloud
  • concurrent think-aloud
  • usability testingA research method in which real users try to complete tasks with a product or prototype while a researcher watches, to find out where they struggle.
  • moderated testingUsability testing in which a researcher guides each session live, in person or on a video call, giving tasks, asking questions and observing the participant.
  • qualitative researchResearch that collects words, observations and stories from a small number of people to understand why they think and behave the way they do.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Testing

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