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| Criterion |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Decision Making Assumption Surfacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 1-3 h | 20-45 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 2-8 | Based on research question | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Assumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationFindability | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | Information architectureNavigationStructure | AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery |