What are three benefits of asking the user to think aloud during a user task?

Asking the user to think aloud during a user task has the following benefits12:

A. No special equipment needed. Thinking aloud is a simple and low-cost method that does not require any special equipment or software. The user only needs a microphone or a phone to record their voice, and the tester only needs a way to listen and observe the user’s actions.

D. Flexibility. Thinking aloud is a flexible method that can be applied to various types of tasks, products, and platforms. It can also be conducted remotely or in-person, synchronously or asynchronously, moderated or unmoderated, depending on the needs and preferences of the tester and the user.

E. Raw stream of thought. Thinking aloud provides a raw and rich stream of data that reveals the user’s thoughts, feelings, expectations, assumptions, motivations, and frustrations as they interact with the product. It can help the tester to understand the user’s mental model, decision-making process, and satisfaction level.