Delivering User Research, Ideation, and Idea Selection :User Research and Design (User Interface Design Specialization) Answers 2026

Question 1

True statements about qualitative analysis (select all that apply)

• ❌ It is best used to analyze large-scale log or survey data

• ✅ It frequently relies on constant comparison between units of meaning

• ❌ It should only be applied to interviews

• ✅ It is inherently subjective but follows a rigorous process to stay true to the data

Explanation:
Qualitative analysis focuses on meaning, patterns, and interpretation, using systematic methods like constant comparison.

Question 2

First step to prepare data for qualitative analysis

• ✅ Convert your data to a textual format

• ❌ Pull out only interesting sessions

• ❌ Compare immediately with other research

• ❌ Ask permission (this occurs earlier)

Explanation:
Qualitative analysis begins with organizing data into analyzable textual form.

Question 3

True statements about open coding (select all that apply)

• ❌ Aim for the fewest codes possible

• ❌ Assemble clusters during open coding

• ❌ Code every 30 seconds of interview

• ✅ Immerse yourself in the data and identify individual units of meaning

Explanation:
Open coding is about exploration and discovery, not clustering or minimizing codes.

Question 4

Most correct statement about personas

• ❌ Capturing designer intuition

• ✅ Personas remind designers of key user types and help focus on their needs

• ❌ Create personas for every conceivable user

• ❌ One persona per job role

Explanation:
Personas are research-based tools to maintain focus on real user needs.

Question 5

A sensitizing concept is a …

• ❌ Way to draw user attention to UI

• ❌ A direct design instruction

• ❌ A list of required features

• ✅ An underlying concept designers keep in mind when exploring solutions

Explanation:
Sensitizing concepts guide thinking, not prescribe solutions.

Question 6

An instantiation (in implications for design) is …

• ✅ A possible design solution derived from formative research

• ❌ A programming object

• ❌ A user-specific context

• ❌ A strict requirement

Explanation:
Instantiations are example solutions, not constraints.

Question 7

True about IDEO-style ideation (select all that apply)

• ❌ Evaluate ideas as you generate them

• ✅ Set a high numerical goal for ideas

• ❌ Multiple side conversations are good

• ✅ Team members should be comfortable being silly

Explanation:
IDEO ideation emphasizes quantity, energy, and psychological safety, not evaluation.

Question 8

Most accurate ideation & selection process

• ❌ 10 ideas → 60 variations

• ❌ One idea per implication

• ❌ User-generated ideas only

• ✅ 150 ideas → cull → cluster → rate → vote

Explanation:
The process values divergence first, then convergence using research-informed criteria.

Question 9

Correct uses of formative research in ideation (select all that apply)

• ❌ Avoid formative research during ideation

• ❌ Evaluate every idea during ideation

• ✅ Share formative research before ideation begins

• ✅ Use formative insights to rate and rank idea clusters

Explanation:
Formative research informs selection, not early creative flow.

Question 10

Why seek feedback on rough sketches? (select all that apply)

• ✅ Users are more honest when ideas look unfinished

• ✅ Allows faster iteration and early feedback

• ✅ Avoids feedback at the wrong granularity

• ✅ Saves time and resources before heavy investment

Explanation:
Rough sketches encourage concept-level feedback without sunk-cost bias.

Question 11

True about quantitative analysis (select all that apply)

• ✅ Requires proposing testable hypotheses

• ❌ Uses open coding

• ❌ Regression coefficients show proportion of variance

• ✅ p-values indicate whether a relationship exists

Explanation:
Quantitative analysis focuses on measurement, testing, and statistical inference.

Question 12

Best description of a use case / usage story

• ✅ A motivating story showing how a user uses a system and benefits from it

• ❌ A persona

• ❌ A task without context

• ❌ Step-by-step interface instructions

Explanation:
Use cases emphasize context, motivation, and value, not UI mechanics.

🧾 Summary Table