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| Criterion |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  UX Research Tree Testing |  UX Research Usability Testing |  Product Discovery Solution Interview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When work processes are known only from accounts and the real context stays hidden, Contextual Inquiry makes behavior at the workplace visible. Observation and follow-up questions together show how people actually work, get interrupted, and improvise. | 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 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 a solution idea is already on the table, it checks how it is understood and evaluated. It looks for resonance, objections, and missing fit early in the conversation. |
Complexitysame | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 1-2 Tage | 1-2 h je Session | 30-60 min je Interview |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | Based on research question | Based on research question | 5-10 Interviews |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations | Solution Feedback, Objection List, Validation Notes |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | Information architectureNavigationFindability | ValidationUXPrototype | ValidationInterviewsPrototype |