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| Criterion |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Innovation Design Thinking |  UX Research Card Sorting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a lot is assumed about a target group but little is seen jointly, empathy mapping makes knowledge and gaps directly comparable. The picture also shows which assumptions hold up and where evidence is missing. | 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 complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service. | 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 | Low | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 30–60 min | 1-2 Tage | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-8 | Based on research question | 4-10 | Based on research question |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | Information architectureNavigationFindability | InnovationPrototypeResearch | Information architectureNavigationStructure |