Card Sorting
UX Design
What is Card Sorting?
Card sorting is a user research technique where participants organize topics or content into categories that make sense to them. It helps designers understand users' mental models and create intuitive information architecture.
Types of Card Sorting
There are three main approaches:
- Open sorting: Users create and name their own categories
- Closed sorting: Users sort items into predefined categories
- Hybrid sorting: Combines both approaches, allowing users to modify predefined categories
When to Use Card Sorting
Implement card sorting when:
- Designing new website navigation
- Restructuring existing content
- Creating menu structures
- Organizing complex product categories
- Validating information architecture decisions
Conducting Card Sorting
Key steps include:
- Preparing content cards (30-60 items recommended)
- Recruiting appropriate participants (15-20 for quantitative insights)
- Setting clear instructions and objectives
- Recording and analyzing patterns in categorization
- Translating findings into actionable structure
For qualitative insights, 15-20 participants usually provide sufficient data. For statistical validity in quantitative studies, you might need 30-50 participants.
Both have advantages. Physical cards offer better participant engagement and observation opportunities, while digital tools provide easier data collection and remote testing capabilities.
A typical session should include 30-60 cards. Too few cards might not reveal meaningful patterns, while too many can overwhelm participants and lead to fatigue.
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