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Using cognitive interviews and think-aloud protocols to understand thought processes
Michael D Wolcott1, Nikki G Lobczowski2
1UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 321 Beard Hall, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
Currents in Pharmacy Teaching & Learning
|January 17, 2021
Summary
Cognitive interviews (CIs) and think-aloud protocols (TAPs) enhance understanding of participant thought processes. These methods aid researchers in refining instruments and interventions by making cognitive processes explicit.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive science and educational research methodologies.
Background:
- Cognitive interviews (CIs) and think-aloud protocols (TAPs) are qualitative methods to elicit participant thought processes.
- Understanding participant cognition is crucial for developing effective instruments and interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the origins, applications, and implementation strategies of CIs and TAPs.
- To highlight the utility of CIs and TAPs in pharmacy education research.
Main Methods:
- CIs involve targeted questions to assess comprehension during tasks.
- TAPs require participants to verbalize their thoughts while performing a task.
Main Results:
- Both CIs and TAPs make cognitive processes explicit, aiding in understanding problem-solving and comprehension.
- Verbal reports from CIs and TAPs can be analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods.
Conclusions:
- Choosing between CIs and TAPs depends on the research aim and requires careful participant selection and preparation.
- CIs and TAPs are valuable tools for pharmacy education researchers to improve survey construction, study test response processes, and map cognitive models.
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