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| Criterion |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Facilitation Mind Mapping |  Knowledge Modeling Concept 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. | 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. | Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 20-45 min | 15-45 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | Based on research question | 1-10 | 1-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps |
Tagsno overlap | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | Information architectureNavigationStructure | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking |