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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Operations Kepner-Tregoe |  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 a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. | 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 | 2-8 h | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | Based on research question | 2-8 | Based on research question |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | Information architectureNavigationFindability | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations | Information architectureNavigationStructure |