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Ethnography and Prototyping Combined

publish date: 2026/06/06 20:00:16.120332 UTC

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How does combining ethnography with prototyping improve the requirements elicitation process?

Ethnography is only used to evaluate the final prototype before delivery

The prototype replaces the need for ethnographic observation entirely

Prototyping proves the ethnographic findings are correct

Ethnography informs prototype development (fewer refinement cycles), and the prototype then focuses the ethnography by identifying new questions for the ethnographer to explore

Correct Answer

Ethnography informs prototype development (fewer refinement cycles), and the prototype then focuses the ethnography by identifying new questions for the ethnographer to explore

Explanation

The combination works synergistically: ethnography informs the development of the prototype so fewer refinement cycles are required. The prototype then focuses the ethnography by identifying problems and questions that the ethnographer can explore in the next phase of the system study.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 9th edition

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Requirements Elicitation and Analysis