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| Criterion |  UX Research Card Sorting |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Innovation Design Sprint |  UX Research Usability Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 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. | When the product question is unclear and time pressure is high, the method takes a team from an open idea to a testable solution. It connects problem understanding, decision, and learning in one compact format, lowering the risk of spending a lot of energy on a mere guess. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 1-2 Tage | 4-5 Tage | 1-2 h je Session |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | Based on research question | 5-8 | Based on research question |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationStructure | Information architectureNavigationFindability | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation | ValidationUXPrototype |