methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Paper illustration for Diary Study.
UX Research
Diary Study
Paper illustration of a branching category tree with a highlighted search path and possible dead ends.
UX Research
Tree Testing
Paper illustration of a branching impact map with a Why goal at the root, actor circles, How behavior changes and What options.
Product Strategy
Impact Mapping
Paper illustration showing three sorted card stacks and an open question about a possible group.
UX Research
Card Sorting
Purposedifferent
When experiences build up over days or weeks and a single session cannot capture them, Diary Study records the course of everyday life. Recurring triggers, moods, and habits become visible this way, beyond the sharpness of memory.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 goal needs to be connected to several possible paths, it shows chains of impact instead of feature lists. It connects business goal, behavior change, and measures.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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-4 Wochen1-2 Tage45-90 min20-45 min
Participantsdifferent
5-20Based on research question3-8Based on research question
Formatdifferent
AsyncAsyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Diary Entries, Longitudinal Patterns, Experience TimelineFindability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IAImpact Map, Outcome Hypotheses, Delivery OptionsContent groups, Label set, IA hypotheses
Tagsno overlap
UX researchTrackingBehavior
Information architectureNavigationFindability
OutcomesStrategyBehaviorPlanning
Information architectureNavigationStructure
Add more methods