ABSTRACT
A method has been developed for analyzing complex verbal protocols from subjects thinking aloud during difficult retrieval tasks. Previous work with subjects thinking aloud while attempting to recall the names of high school classmates has identified a number of recurrent phenomena and systematic search strategies. By applying our analysis to a portion of the same data base we are able to derive a set of equations that formally define a number of the recurrent phenomena; in particular, partial recall, extended retrieval, overshoot, systematic hypothesizing, and contextual retrieval. In addition, the analysis provides the basis for a systematic examination of the search strategies. In applying the analysis to the locations strategy, we noted three characteristics of the strategy: (1) nonveridical representation of the space being searched; (2) flexible focus on a number of "levels" in the spatial representation; and (3) opportunistic excursions from the primary search strategy. Our effort demonstrates the possibilities of conducting useful quantitative analysis of lengthy and complex verbal protocols in order to examine the process of retrieval.
