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| Criterion |  UX Research Tree Testing |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Operations Barrier Analysis |  UX Research Card Sorting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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 research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | For a risk that can only be managed through multiple layers of protection, the method examines the effectiveness of each barrier. It shows where safeguards are missing, too weak, or fail under real conditions. | 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 | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 45–90 min | 2-4 h | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 3-10 | 2-6 | Based on research question |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationFindability | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | Root causeSafetyIncident | Information architectureNavigationStructure |