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| Criterion |  UX Research Card Sorting |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  UX Research First-click Testing |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | When a lot is assumed about a target group but little is seen jointly, empathy mapping makes knowledge and gaps directly comparable. The picture also shows which assumptions hold up and where evidence is missing. | When users immediately turn the wrong way on a screen or wireframe, first click testing checks initial orientation at high speed. The first click shows early whether expectation, labeling, and wayfinding fit together. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 30–60 min | 1-2 Tage | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 4-8 | 10-30 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Click Heatmap, Success Rate, Design Recommendations | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationStructure | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | UXNavigationFindabilityValidation | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |