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| Criterion |  UX Research Tree Testing |  UX Research User Interviews |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  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 teams derive needs only from assumptions and real motives are missing, user interviews give direct access to behavior and meaning. Conversations from the target group's everyday life make patterns, tensions, and open questions solidly visible. | 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. | 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 | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 30–60 min per interview | 45–90 min | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 1 participant per interview | 3-10 | Based on research question |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Interview Notes, Themes, Insight Summary | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationFindability | QualitativeResearchCustomerDiscovery | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | Information architectureNavigationStructure |