In usability testing, what is the primary role of the moderator?

In usability testing, the primary role of the moderator is to facilitate the test session. This involves guiding participants through the testing process, ensuring that the objectives of the test are met, and creating a comfortable environment for users to express their thoughts and behaviors as they interact with the product. The moderator's responsibilities include asking questions, prompting users to think aloud, and managing the flow of the session to gather relevant insights about the user experience.

This role is critical because a skilled moderator can adapt the session as needed, diving deeper into specific areas of interest and ensuring that all relevant feedback is captured. While analyzing data and collecting feedback are important parts of the usability testing process, those tasks typically occur after the test session has concluded. Designing prototypes is unrelated to the fundamental role of the moderator in this specific context.