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| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Card Sorting | ![]() Knowledge Modeling IBIS | ![]() UX Research Usability Testing | ![]() Decision Making Argument 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. | When a product is built but people get stuck on tasks, usability testing shows the friction at concrete points. Observed use instead of self-report makes visible where orientation, understanding, or interaction breaks down. | When statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 1-3 h | 1-2 h je Session | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 2-8 | Based on research question | 1-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationStructure | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | ValidationUXPrototype | SensemakingDecisionRationale |



