Card Sorting
Card sorting helps uncover users' mental models by having them organize information into categories that make sense to them. This method is effective for designing intuitive information architectures and understanding user perspectives.
Use card sorting when you need to understand how users categorize information, design website navigation, or organize content in a user-centered way.
Solves: Disagreement on information architecture, difficulty understanding user needs, poorly organized website content.
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Step 1: Prepare cards with individual items or concepts written on each. (15 minutes)
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Step 2: Explain the task to participants: to group the cards based on how they relate to each other. (5 minutes)
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Step 3: Participants sort the cards into groups, either with pre-defined categories (closed sorting) or creating their own (open sorting). (20-40 minutes)
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Step 4: Participants name each group they created. (10 minutes)
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Step 5: Discuss the groupings and labels with the participants to understand their reasoning. (10-20 minutes)
- Limit the number of cards to avoid overwhelming participants.
- Randomize the order of cards to prevent bias.
- Encourage participants to verbalize their thought processes during sorting.
- Closed card sorting (predefined categories)
- Open card sorting (user-defined categories)
- Hybrid card sorting (some predefined, some user-defined)
- Remote card sorting using online tools