What does user research aim to achieve in the design process?

User research is a fundamental component of the design process, primarily aimed at gathering insights about user behaviors, needs, and motivations. This information is vital as it informs designers about how users interact with products and what they expect, thereby shaping the overall design decisions. By understanding the user's perspective, designers can create more intuitive and effective interfaces that enhance user satisfaction and engagement.

In contrast, the other choices do not align with the core purpose of user research. For instance, creating code for web applications pertains to the technical implementation rather than the understanding of user behaviors. Finalizing design layouts is focused on the aesthetic aspect of a product, which comes after insights from user research have been gathered and analyzed. Similarly, marketing products effectively is a business-oriented objective that does not directly address the user's experience or needs, which user research seeks to prioritize. Thus, option A accurately encapsulates the primary goal of user research within the design process.