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Criterion
Paper illustration of a Concept Map with concepts and labelled links
Knowledge Modeling
Concept Mapping
Paper illustration showing three sorted card stacks and an open question about a possible group.
UX Research
Card Sorting
Paper illustration for Argument Mapping
Decision Making
Argument Mapping
Purposedifferent
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 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 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
MediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-2 h20-45 min1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
1-8Based on research question1-8
Formatsame
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge GapsContent groups, Label set, IA hypothesesArgument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale
Tagsno overlap
KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking
Information architectureNavigationStructure
SensemakingDecisionRationale
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration of an IBIS map with issues, positions and arguments
Knowledge Modeling
IBIS
Paper illustration for Cynefin Workshop.
Decision Making
Cynefin Workshop
Paper illustration for Knowledge Mapping.
Knowledge Modeling
Knowledge Mapping
Paper mind map with a central course onboarding question, colored main branches, keywords and cross-links.
Facilitation
Mind Mapping