How do you evaluate Information Architecture with card sorting?

1 What is card sorting?

Card sorting is a technique where you ask users to sort a set of cards, each representing a piece of content or a feature, into categories that make sense to them. You can use card sorting to create a new IA from scratch, or to test and improve an existing one. There are two main types of card sorting: open and closed. In open card sorting, users create their own categories and name them. In closed card sorting, users sort the cards into predefined categories that you provide.

2 How to plan card sorting?

Before conducting a card sorting session, you need to plan certain aspects of your research. This includes defining the goal and scope of your card sorting, the type and number of cards to use, and the participants and recruitment strategy. When deciding the number of cards, you should use between 30 and 100, depending on the complexity of your IA and the time and attention span of your users. You can also choose between open or closed card sorting, or a combination of both, depending on your research goal and the level of flexibility you want to give to your users. When it comes to participants, you should aim for a representative sample of your user base and recruit enough people to get reliable and diverse insights. Depending on your resources and availability, card sorting can be conducted in person or online, individually or in groups, moderated or unmoderated.

3 How to conduct card sorting?

Once you have planned your card sorting, it's time to prepare and run the session. You will need to gather materials for the session, including cards with clear labels that describe the content or functionality they represent, as well as a way to record the results. If you are doing closed card sorting, you will also need categories and subcategories for users to sort the cards into. Furthermore, you should explain the instructions to the users, encourage them to think aloud and ask questions, observe how they sort the cards, and facilitate the session by answering any questions or clarifying any doubts. After they finish sorting the cards, you should debrief the users and ask them to explain their choices and opinions. Finally, thank them for their participation and offer any incentives or rewards promised.

4 How to analyze card sorting results?

Once you complete a card sorting session, it’s time to analyze the results and evaluate your IA. To do this, you can use quantitative analysis which involves numerical data, such as frequency and percentage of card and category choices. Statistical tests, like cluster analysis and dendrograms, can also be used to identify groups or patterns of cards and categories. Additionally, qualitative analysis involves verbal and visual data, such as comments, feedback, questions, or suggestions from users. Diagrams like affinity diagrams and concept maps can help to visualize users' mental models and associations of cards and categories. Comparative analysis is another way to evaluate the results; you can compare different types of card sorting or different groups of users to see how they differ or agree on the IA. You can also compare the results with your existing or proposed IA to identify gaps or opportunities for improvement.

5 How to apply card sorting results?

Once you have analyzed the card sorting results, you should apply them to your IA design and use them to inform your decisions and actions. This includes creating or refining the main categories, subcategories, labels, and relationships of your IA to make sure they are clear, logical, and intuitive for your users. Additionally, the card sorting results can be used to design or improve the navigation and layout of your website or app, ensuring that it is consistent, accessible, and user-friendly. Furthermore, you can use the card sorting results to test and validate your IA with your users to see if it meets their needs and expectations. Other methods such as tree testing or usability testing can also be utilized to complement and confirm your card sorting findings.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?