Consider the following statements about early test design:

Early test design is an effective approach that emphasizes the importance of involving testing activities at the initial stages of the software development lifecycle. The reason that early test design can prevent fault multiplication lies in the fact that it allows testers to identify and address issues before they propagate to later stages of development, where they could lead to more complex and costly problems.

When tests are designed early, the testing team can thoroughly analyze requirements and design artifacts, which helps in identifying potential ambiguities or defects early on. Addressing these faults early reduces the likelihood of them being carried into later phases of development, where they can multiply as code is integrated and additional features are added. This preventative approach ultimately leads to a more stable and higher quality product.

The other statements present perspectives that do not capture the key advantage of early test design accurately. For instance, the assertion that faults found during early test design are more expensive to fix contradicts the general understanding that early detection typically reduces fixing costs. While it is possible that early changes could instigate requirement alterations, which may or may not be desirable, this aspect does not inherently reflect the essence of early test design's preventive capability against fault multiplication.