I come across ur interesting blog about protocol analysis method. I hope u dun mind if point out simple opinions. Protocol analysis has its advantages and disadvantages. Besides, give emphasize on the data collection phase, I think the encoding protocol phase also quite crutial (e.g., find theoritical framework that can classified the segmenting protocol).Correct framework might be able to shape the data and the final output of cognitive model. However, the theoritical framework sometimes might not be match with our study domain or might not fully represent or capture on our study, I think this sometimes may create biased.

It might be fun to use usability lab facility such as screen capture, keyboard or mouse tracker to observe how users browse web but it might be expensive to conduct such experiment. This have to include training material, web content and instructors who will involves in lab for data collection.

Besides protocol analysis, there are other technique too can be used model cognitive processes like cognitive mapping techniques (causal mapping, semantic map, concept map). Overally, it is a good study that giving demo of protocol analysis technique.

Have a great day

Cheers,
Lanie Chan