What does the term 'key performance indicators' (KPIs) refer to in UX research?

The term 'key performance indicators' (KPIs) in UX research refers to specific measures of progress towards defined end goals. KPIs are quantitative metrics that help assess how well a product or service is performing in relation to its objectives. By establishing clear KPIs, researchers and designers can evaluate the effectiveness of design choices, track user engagement, and determine whether users are achieving their goals when interacting with a product.

For example, if the goal of a website is to increase user sign-ups, the number of sign-ups can be considered a KPI. This specific measure allows teams to assess how successful their design and UX strategies are in driving users toward this desired outcome. KPIs are crucial since they provide focused insights that align with the overall objectives of the project, helping teams make informed decisions based on data.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of KPIs. General metrics that lack focus do not provide the specific progress needed to gauge success. Qualitative feedback from user interviews, while valuable for understanding user sentiment, doesn’t translate into measurable progress toward quantifiable end goals. Lastly, databases for tracking user behavior are tools that might help gather data, but they are not KPIs themselves—rather, they support the inputs that could lead