Thinking aloud technique

The thinking aloud technique is a popular way to learn about what people are thinking when they use a product. In this method, a facilitator asks a participant to explain their thoughts and actions as they complete tasks. The facilitator may ask questions like "What are you thinking right now?" or "What are you trying to accomplish?"

There are several advantages of using the thinking aloud technique:

• It helps designers and researchers understand how users interact with the product, which can inform design decisions and improve the overall user experience.
• It gives insights into what users may find difficult or confusing when using a product.
• It's a low-cost and relatively easy way to get user feedback, so it can be used by small teams or those with limited resources.
• It encourages participants to be more reflective and aware of their own actions and thought processes.

However, the technique isn’t a panacea. Each participant's comfort level with speaking aloud and being observed may influence the results and reduce their validity. Plus, the thinking aloud technique requires skilled facilitators to properly administer and interpret the results in a way that avoids influencing participants’ behaviors or thought processes.^[1]