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| Criterion |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Knowledge Modeling Knowledge Mapping |  Facilitation Mind Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus. | 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. | Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable. | When a topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 20-45 min | 1-3 h | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | Based on research question | 3-12 | 1-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Knowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer Plan | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | Information architectureNavigationStructure | KnowledgeMappingRisk | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation |