View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping |  Facilitation Mind Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus. | Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly. | When a topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 1-3 h | 1-2 h | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 2-8 | 1-8 | 1-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationStructure | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation |