Speak-Aloud Protocol Project-UX Research

Problem

Learn users’ expectations of instructions through the speak-aloud protocol activity.

Skills

Research-soft skill

Transcription-soft skill

CITI training-hard skill

Solution

1. Transcribe usability tests

2. Create primary- and secondary-level analytical codes

3. Research techniques that support the user’s expectations and design of instructions

Overview of the Usability Test Process

1. Watch, transcribe, and code ten usability tests from the TCO 141 class.

2. Replace each participant’s name with an alias (fake name)
to protect their privacy.

3. Create a usability codebook-first- and second-level codes.

4. Use research articles to support the participants’ and my suggestions on what makes a good instruction set

Reflection

This project was my favorite because the speak-aloud process is my favorite usability research method. It’s my favorite method because I learn what users want in a product-in this case, instruction sets-and how they want to see the design.

This project is a stepping stone towards my research proposal and possible presentation.

Steps to Solve/Tools (in-depth)

1. Watched and transcribed ten Zoom videos on the TCO 141-Introduction to Technical Communication.

2. Coded each transcription through primary and secondary-level analytical codes.

3. Created a codebook of the common codes and search for themes (or patterns).

4. Used the patterns

5. Created research questions about users’ expectations of instructions.

6. Created a written report (as a memo) of the results from the Speak-Aloud Protocol project.