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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Innovation Design Thinking |  UX Research Card Sorting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | When a navigation exists but search paths still fail, tree testing checks findability without visual distraction. The method shows whether labels, levels, and paths really lead to the intended destination. | For complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service. | When content only makes sense internally and users can't find the structure again, card sorting exposes their mental order. Terms, groups, and naming are then aligned with the target group's expectations. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 1-2 Tage | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | Based on research question | 4-10 | Based on research question |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | Information architectureNavigationFindability | InnovationPrototypeResearch | Information architectureNavigationStructure |