Basic Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) MCQs

What is the primary goal of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)?
A) To improve the usability of computer systems
B) To increase computer processing speed
C) To enhance hardware capabilities
D) To develop new programming languages
Answer: A

Which of the following best describes user interface (UI)?
A) The means by which a user interacts with a computer
B) The physical components of a computer
C) The software used for system management
D) The network connections between computers
Answer: A

What does usability in HCI refer to?
A) The ease of use and efficiency of a system
B) The aesthetic design of a system
C) The programming language used
D) The hardware specifications of a system
Answer: A

Which of the following is an example of a direct manipulation interface?
A) Touchscreen interfaces
B) Command-line interfaces
C) Menu-driven interfaces
D) Text-based interfaces
Answer: A

What is the purpose of user-centered design in HCI?
A) To focus on the needs and preferences of users
B) To prioritize technical specifications
C) To reduce development costs
D) To improve hardware performance
Answer: A

Which principle of HCI emphasizes consistency in design?
A) Familiarity
B) Visibility
C) Feedback
D) Affordance
Answer: A

What does the term “affordance” refer to in HCI?
A) The perceived properties of an object that suggest its usage
B) The visual design elements of an interface
C) The technical capabilities of a system
D) The user’s mental model of a system
Answer: A

Which of the following is an important factor in evaluating user interfaces?
A) Learnability
B) Price
C) Brand
D) Color
Answer: A

What is a heuristic evaluation in HCI?
A) A usability inspection method based on established principles
B) A user feedback session
C) A method for programming user interfaces
D) A hardware testing process
Answer: A

Which of the following describes cognitive load in HCI?
A) The mental effort required to use a system
B) The physical strain of using a computer
C) The time taken to learn a new software
D) The amount of data processed by a system
Answer: A

What is the main benefit of using prototyping in HCI?
A) To gather user feedback early in the design process
B) To finalize system specifications
C) To reduce production costs
D) To improve system security
Answer: A

Which type of interface is designed to accommodate users with disabilities?
A) Adaptive interface
B) Graphical interface
C) Command-line interface
D) Menu-driven interface
Answer: A

What does the term “feedback” refer to in HCI?
A) Information provided to users about their actions
B) The performance speed of a system
C) User opinions about a product
D) The design of a user interface
Answer: A

Which of the following is an example of a graphical user interface (GUI)?
A) Microsoft Windows
B) DOS
C) Command Prompt
D) Text-based editors
Answer: A

What is a primary advantage of using color in user interfaces?
A) Enhancing visual appeal and communication
B) Reducing manufacturing costs
C) Increasing processing speed
D) Simplifying code development
Answer: A

Which of the following describes a task analysis in HCI?
A) Breaking down user tasks to understand their needs
B) Analyzing the performance of hardware components
C) Evaluating software security measures
D) Testing the speed of a network
Answer: A

What does the term “modal window” refer to in UI design?
A) A dialog that requires user interaction before returning to the main interface
B) A secondary window that can be resized freely
C) A window that does not require any user input
D) A window that displays background information
Answer: A

Which of the following principles focuses on providing users with clear and informative messages?
A) Feedback
B) Visibility
C) Consistency
D) Efficiency
Answer: A

What is the primary focus of accessibility in HCI?
A) Ensuring all users can effectively use the system
B) Reducing the cost of software development
C) Enhancing system performance
D) Increasing the aesthetic appeal of an interface
Answer: A

Which of the following is a common method for conducting user research?
A) Surveys
B) Code reviews
C) Hardware testing
D) Security audits
Answer: A

What is the purpose of usability testing in HCI?
A) To evaluate how easily users can accomplish tasks
B) To test system security
C) To assess programming efficiency
D) To analyze network performance
Answer: A

Which of the following describes a “persona” in user-centered design?
A) A fictional character representing a target user
B) A programming tool for developing interfaces
C) A type of feedback mechanism
D) A method for data encryption
Answer: A

What is the impact of good visual hierarchy in UI design?
A) It guides users to understand the importance of information
B) It reduces the need for user feedback
C) It speeds up system processing
D) It eliminates the need for user training
Answer: A

What does “interaction design” focus on in HCI?
A) The way users interact with a system
B) The coding of software applications
C) The physical design of hardware
D) The management of project timelines
Answer: A

Which of the following is a benefit of consistent UI design?
A) Reduces user confusion and learning time
B) Lowers development costs
C) Enhances processing speed
D) Increases the need for user support
Answer: A

What does the term “cross-platform compatibility” refer to?
A) The ability of software to run on multiple operating systems
B) The design of interfaces for mobile devices only
C) The use of similar programming languages
D) The integration of hardware components
Answer: A

Which of the following describes a “screencast”?
A) A video recording of a computer screen
B) A written guide for software usage
C) A type of interactive tutorial
D) A series of user interviews
Answer: A

What is the role of a usability specialist in HCI?
A) To evaluate and improve the user experience of products
B) To program software applications
C) To design hardware components
D) To conduct market research
Answer: A

Which design method involves creating low-fidelity sketches of an interface?
A) Paper prototyping
B) Usability testing
C) Task analysis
D) User research
Answer: A

What is the significance of “user feedback” in HCI design?
A) It helps refine and improve user interfaces based on real experiences
B) It increases the cost of product development
C) It simplifies technical documentation
D) It reduces the need for testing
Answer: A

Which of the following is an example of a non-visual interface?
A) Voice recognition software
B) Touchscreen interface
C) Graphical user interface
D) Menu-driven interface
Answer: A

What does the acronym “HCI” stand for?
A) Human-Computer Interaction
B) High-Performance Computing Interface
C) Human-Centered Integration
D) Hardware-Compatibility Interface
Answer: A

What is the function of a wireframe in UI design?
A) To outline the structure and layout of a user interface
B) To create a fully functional software application
C) To analyze hardware performance
D) To gather user data
Answer: A

Which of the following factors can negatively impact user experience?
A) Poor navigation
B) Clear instructions
C) Consistent design
D) Fast performance
Answer: A

What is the purpose of color contrast in UI design?
A) To enhance readability and user engagement
B) To increase hardware performance
C) To reduce development costs
D) To complicate the design process
Answer: A

Which term refers to the physical layout of controls in an interface?
A) Spatial arrangement
B) Graphic design
C) User interaction
D) Task analysis
Answer: A

Which of the following best describes a “contextual inquiry”?
A) An observation-based method for understanding user behavior
B) A survey conducted after product launch
C) A focus group discussion
D) A testing method for programming efficiency
Answer: A

What is the primary objective of interaction design in HCI?
A) To create meaningful and engaging interactions between users and systems
B) To enhance the security of software applications
C) To improve hardware performance
D) To reduce production costs
Answer: A

Which of the following is an example of a task-oriented user interface?
A) Workflow management systems
B) Entertainment software
C) Multimedia editing tools
D) Gaming applications
Answer: A