Which of the following relates to an automated process in quality assurance?

The selection of automated test and debug as the correct answer is justified by the nature of quality assurance (QA) processes that leverage automation to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability. Automated testing involves the use of specialized software tools to execute tests on the software automatically, which helps in identifying defects and ensuring that the application functions as intended without human intervention. This process can significantly reduce the time and resources required for testing, allowing for more extensive testing coverage and quicker identification of issues.

In contrast, manual testing of applications relies on human testers to execute test cases, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error. User feedback analysis typically involves gathering insights from end-users regarding their experiences with the application, which, while valuable for improving quality, does not constitute an automated QA process. Vendor compliance checks focus on ensuring that third-party products or services meet certain standards and regulations, but again, they are not inherently automated processes within the QA framework. Thus, automated test and debug clearly embodies the essence of automation in quality assurance.