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| Criterion |  Innovation Contradiction Analysis |  UX Research Card Sorting |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a system should improve while another measure suffers as a result, the method makes the underlying conflict precisely formulable. It separates the desired effect from its side effect. This makes solutions possible that address the contradiction deliberately instead of half-heartedly. | 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. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 20-45 min | 1-2 Tage | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | Based on research question | Based on research question | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Contradiction Statement, Abstraction Notes, Solution Principles, Concept Ideas | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | ContradictionsInnovationProblem solving | Information architectureNavigationStructure | Information architectureNavigationFindability | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |