Icon Design Research & Evidence-Based Practice 3

Question 1

Which cognitive theory explains why a trash can icon successfully represents 'delete' even though users rarely use physical trash cans for digital files?

Accepted Answer

Conceptual metaphor theory

Answer

Conceptual metaphor theory explains how abstract digital actions are understood through familiar physical-world analogies.

Question 2

A researcher uses eye-tracking data during an icon study. What does a long fixation duration on a single icon most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

The user is confused or uncertain about the icon's meaning

Answer

Extended fixations typically signal cognitive effort, suggesting the user is uncertain and processing the icon more deeply than intended.

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of running a pilot study before a large-scale icon usability test?

Accepted Answer

To identify flaws in the test protocol and stimuli

Answer

Pilot studies reveal procedural problems, ambiguous tasks, or technical issues before they affect the main study's validity.

Question 4

Which sampling strategy should be used when icon recognition is expected to vary significantly across age groups?

Accepted Answer

Stratified random sampling

Answer

Stratified random sampling ensures proportional representation of each age group, making findings generalizable across the demographic range.

Question 5

During a competitive icon audit, a designer compares six products' icon sets. What type of evidence does this activity produce?

Accepted Answer

Secondary qualitative benchmark evidence

Answer

A competitive audit yields secondary qualitative benchmarks — descriptive observations about existing designs rather than controlled experimental data.

Icon Design Practice Test

Icon Design Practice Test

Icon Design Research & Evidence-Based Practice 3