Title: On a tool for analysing cognitive processes using exploratory think-aloud experiments

Authors: Hans Heerkens, Beatrice Van Der Heijden

Addresses: Department of Operational Methods and Systems Theory, School for Business, Public Administration and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. ' Maastricht School of Management, Open University of the Netherlands, University of Twente, The Netherlands

Abstract: We develop a method that enables cognitive processes to be analysed quantitatively without having a conceptual framework in place at the start of the research. With current methods, the general structure of the cognitive process in question has to be known before quantitative analyses can be preformed. With the method, we studied the cognitive process of weighting the importance of attributes in a purchasing decision. Our approach consists of seven steps: determining the research method (in our case: the think-aloud method); designing an experiment; designing a data collection method; designing a tool for preliminary analysis; designing a tool for qualitative analysis; designing a tool for quantitative analysis; assessing external validity. In this contribution we also provide a checklist for putting our method into practice.

Keywords: exploratory research methodology; cognitive processes; think-aloud research; grounded theory; qualitative research methodology; attribute weighting; importance assessment; decision making; purchasing decisions; data collection; quantitative analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2005.007104

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2005 Vol.5 No.3, pp.240 - 283

Published online: 26 May 2005 *

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