title: A conversation-based process tracing method for use with naturalistic decisions: an evaluation study.
abstract: This study is an evaluation of a process tracing method developed for naturalistic decisions, in this case a consumer choice task. The method is based on Huber et al.'s (1997) Active Information Search (AIS) technique, but develops it by providing spoken rather than written answers to respondents' questions, and by including think aloud instructions. The technique is used within a conversation-based situation, rather than the respondent thinking aloud 'into an empty space', as is conventionally the case in think aloud techniques. The method results in a concurrent verbal protocol as respondents make their decisions, and a retrospective report in the form of a post-decision summary. The method was found to be virtually non-reactive in relation to think aloud, although the variable of Preliminary Attribute Elicitation showed some evidence of reactivity. This was a methodological evaluation, and as such the data reported are essentially descriptive. Nevertheless, the data obtained indicate that the method is capable of producing information about decision processes which could have theoretical importance in terms of evaluating models of decision-making.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Subject Group, Bolton Institute of Higher Education, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranyard
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cuthbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013850:Thinking; D014705:Verbal Behavior