WHAT IS IT?
Card Sorting is a quick, inexpensive, user-centered classification activity in which a participant sorts labeled cards into similar groups. There are two types of Card Sorts: Open and Closed Piles. Open Piles are based on the perceived similarity of the cards (what makes sense to the participant). It allows participant to organize and label content intuitively, providing insight on the preferred vocabulary of representative users. Closed Piles are grouped according to categories already provided for participant. By providing participant with existing navigation, participant focuses on re-organizing and labeling content under these headings. Discussion around why the cards are placed in particular piles provides further insight into user expectations for content. This method serves as input into the navigation design process by informing the overall structure of the universe of information, including menus and taxonomies.Samples
WHO USES IT?
Information Architects use them to gain a better understanding of the users and their thought processes. Card sorting provides a guide in building navigation systems, organizing Web content, and what labels to consider using. User Researchers may observe or help facilitate card sorting, as the IA purposes of the activity overlap with user research objectives.
HOW ARE THEY MADE?
1. On index cards, write the name and/or a short description for each main item to be categorized.
2. Provide participant(s) the shuffled deck along with clear, sorting objectives. (These participants are recruited based on how they reflect the target audience.
3. Ask the participant(s) to sort the piles based on similarity of items (what they feel belong together). As many or as few piles can be created, and can be in various sizes.
4. Optional: Have the participant(s) arrange the resulting piles into bigger ones, and to name those different groupings. This provides additional ideas for potential words/synonyms to use for navigation labels, links, headlines, and search engine optimization.