Think-Aloud Protocol

A process‑tracing technique in which a participant is asked to verbalize spontaneously and continuously the contents of working memory (thoughts, intentions, perceptions, decisions) while performing a task, so the researcher records an ongoing stream of concurrent verbal reports for analysis.

A research technique in which participants verbalize their thoughts, intentions and impressions while performing tasks so that observers can record and analyze cognitive steps, decision points and search strategies; typically used in usability and information‑seeking studies with explicit instruction to report ongoing mental processes.