Which advantage is associated with moderated usability studies?

Moderated usability studies provide the advantage of observing firsthand how participants interact with a product or system. This direct observation allows facilitators to gain insights into user behavior, preferences, and pain points in real-time. The moderator can ask follow-up questions, clarify misunderstandings, and probe deeper into specific behaviors, leading to a richer understanding of the user experience.

This enhanced level of interaction goes beyond what is typically captured in unmoderated studies, where feedback may be less detailed due to the absence of a facilitator. Observing users in a controlled environment allows for immediate feedback, enabling researchers to adapt their approach and gather more nuanced insights that can be crucial for improving the design and usability of a product.

In contrast, other options revolve around scheduling convenience, the naturalness of interactions, and participant numbers, which do not capture the unique benefit of the depth of qualitative data obtained through moderation. Therefore, the ability to observe firsthand is a significant strength of moderated usability studies.