person’s own account of his or her thoughts and ideas while doing a task.
Such a protocol can give information of value in the study of psycho-
linguistics and cognitive processes.
see also guided interviewprotocol materialsn
(in teacher development) a recorded or filmed segment of a lesson or class-
room event. In teacher education programmes, video protocols of teachers
in classrooms carrying out normal classroom activities are sometimes used
to illustrate different aspects of teaching. It is often more convenient to use
protocol materials than to observe actual classes.
protocol researchn
in research on composition, the use of protocolscontaining the verbalized
thoughts of writers as they create a piece of writing.
prototype n
a person or object which is considered (by many people) to be typical of its
class or group.
The prototype theory suggests that many mental concepts we have are really
prototypes. People often define a concept by reference to typical instances.
For example, a prototype of a bird would be more like a small bird which flies
than, for instance, a large flightless bird like an emu or a New Zealand kiwi.
Prototype theory has been useful in investigations into how concepts are
formed, e.g. what is considered a typical item of furniture, a typical vegetable,
a typical house, and to what extent certain concepts can be considered
universal or specific to certain cultures /languages.
It has also been suggested that prototype theory may account for our ability
to communicate appropriately in social situations. That would mean, for
example, that we learn to associate certain words, phrases, or general
prototype