Card Sorting
Primary Research Practice, HCID 531 User Research Studio
Backgroud
Card sorting is a user research method, often, we use it to help design or evaluate the information architecture of a site. However, actually, it can be used to group information of any product or service, in order to understand users’ mental model, and to examine whether the current information architecture or user flow is appropriate and understandable and match with users’ mental model. I have used card sorting in the past, and it was used in a focus group, to understand students’ sex role concept, which was very useful.
There are two kinds of card sorting: Open Card Sorting and Closed Card Sorting. If we have already defined categories, then it is better to use open card sorting, so that we can learn how users sort content items into each category; otherwise, it is good to user open card sorting, let users name each group they created or add more groups.
Card Sorting Process
In this class, we practiced card sorting, in order to know about how users approached a medical issue and find a doctor as the goal. Firstly, our whole class brainstormed any word related to medical health, then two of my classmates(Joe and Carolyn) volunteered as users and went through this process.
Our user is Carolyn☺ I am one of the “researcher” and “observer” (hidden in the corner). Carolyn’s mission is to group the information, as well as emphasize the priorities. Looking at all the cards on the desk, Carolyn looked a bit confused — “I am trying to figure out where I should start…”. Yes, we used Think Aloud to help us with card sorting! She grabbed some cards and put it on the left and then grabbed other cards. After a few trials, she seemed lost her head, “It doesn’t work, I should think about what I really did in the past. Hmm, usually…” She was trying to think about a scenario, and sorted cards based on that specific scenario. “Why not create some category first? Seems like some cards have the similar meaning.” We suggested Carolyn to create categories first and then sorted cards under each category. It worked! After looking through all the cards, and based on her own scenario, it became more effective to sort cards.
After sorting all the cards under each category, it was the time to prioritize those categories. “If …… I will ……, but if ….. , I will ……” Carolyn had different way to prioritize those categories, yes, based on different scenarios!
Reflection
Make clear about the research question.
Is it a very open and exploratory research activity? Or, if you have a very specific goal and question, then, for example, it is better to create a corresponding scenario, which will help user to sort cards more effectively.
Think aloud works!
Let user think aloud whatever in her mind. It is important to know why user makes a certain decision.
Observe and Empathy
Facial expression, body language also could convey useful information, as complementary to users’ behavior and words. Researcher also can ask users for “what” or “why” if needed, especially, sometimes, users are not that good at “think aloud”.
Empathy is always the key of user research, as well as in card sorting. For example, when user is describing a scenario, try to be emphatic and imagine if you were the user……
