Card Sorting
Card sorting is a method used to understand how people categorize and organize information. Participants are given a set of cards, each containing a piece of content or information, and asked to group them in a way that makes sense to them. This method helps to inform the information architecture of a product or website, ensuring that content is organized in a way that makes sense to users.
When to use
Card sorting is typically used in the early stages of design or redesign when developing the information architecture of a product or website. It can be particularly useful when designing navigation menus, site maps, or organizing large amounts of content.
Pros
- Provides insight into how users organize and categorize information.
- Can help improve the information architecture of a product or website.
- Relatively low cost and easy to conduct.
- Can be done in person or remotely.
Cons
- Results can be subjective and influenced by individual participants.
- Participants may have difficulty articulating their thought processes.
- May not be useful for testing more complex interactions or design elements.
Learn more in the User Research: Comprehensive Guide article.