Directed dialogue protocols: verbal data for user interface design

Abstract

The development of an interface design tool called “directed dialogue protocols” is discussed. The tool is based upon Kato's (1986) method of verbal data collection, “question-asking protocols.” Three extensions to the question-asking method are detailed: 1) an experimental procedure of atomic tasks which facilitate the quantization of verbal data; 2) interventions by the experimenter that probe the subject's expectations and prompt verbalizations; and 3) a technique for answering subject queries called sequential disclosure. Also discussed are applications of the directed dialogue that have identified design choices which build learnability and usability into a product's user-interface.