In usability testing, what is the focus of the think-aloud protocol?

The think-aloud protocol is a method used in usability testing where participants are instructed to verbalize their thoughts, feelings, and reasoning as they interact with a system or product. This approach helps researchers gain insight into the users' cognitive processes, enabling them to understand how users perceive and navigate through the interface. By recording user thoughts during the interaction, testers can identify areas of confusion, difficulty, or satisfaction, which can inform design improvements and enhance overall user experience.

Counting user interactions, observing user feedback, and surveying user satisfaction after usage are important aspects of usability testing, but they do not capture the dynamic, real-time insights gained through the think-aloud approach. The focus on verbalizing thoughts makes the think-aloud protocol particularly valuable for uncovering users' motivations and reasoning behind their actions as they engage with a system.