UX User Research Methods 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which research method involves observing users in their natural environment without interfering?
- Ethnographic research (Correct answer)
- A/B testing
- Card sorting
- Heuristic evaluation
Correct answer: Ethnographic research
Ethnographic research involves observing users in their real-world context to understand behaviors and needs.
Question 2: What is the primary goal of a contextual inquiry session?
- To observe and interview users in their work environment (Correct answer)
- To test a prototype remotely
- To gather quantitative survey data
- To rank design preferences
Correct answer: To observe and interview users in their work environment
Contextual inquiry combines observation and interviewing to understand users within their actual work or use context.
Question 3: Which UX research method asks users to organize topics into groups that make sense to them?
- Card sorting (Correct answer)
- Diary study
- Eye tracking
- Think-aloud protocol
Correct answer: Card sorting
Card sorting reveals users' mental models by having them categorize content into logical groups.
Question 4: What distinguishes qualitative research from quantitative research in UX?
- Qualitative explores why users behave a certain way; quantitative measures how many do (Correct answer)
- Qualitative uses surveys; quantitative uses interviews
- Qualitative is faster; quantitative takes more time
- Qualitative requires larger sample sizes
Correct answer: Qualitative explores why users behave a certain way; quantitative measures how many do
Qualitative research uncovers motivations and behaviors through observation and interviews, while quantitative research measures and counts behaviors statistically.
Question 5: In UX research, what is a screener used for?
- Recruiting participants who match the target user profile (Correct answer)
- Filtering usability test results
- Organizing research data
- Evaluating interface aesthetics
Correct answer: Recruiting participants who match the target user profile
A screener is a set of qualifying questions used to ensure research participants represent the intended user group.
Question 6: Which method is best suited to understanding users' long-term behaviors and experiences over time?
- Diary study (Correct answer)
- Usability test
- Heuristic evaluation
- Five-second test
Correct answer: Diary study
Diary studies have participants self-report experiences over days or weeks, capturing longitudinal behavior and context.
Which research method involves observing users in their natural environment without interfering?