[Sigia-l] card sorting: dealing with multiple placements

[Davis.Michael at ic.gc.ca]

From: "Derek R" <derek at derekrogerson.com>

"IAs, in general, appear to gravitate towards the deliverable as the 'secret
key' to unlock all mysteries. This exposes, in my opinion, their nativity
regarding true field research and sociological/psychological methods of
inquiry. / Business, in general, shouldn't let IAs anywhere near 'users' for
testing or research purposes, since the typical 'library science' IA
background has not -- in any way -- prepared them to accurately perform
these duties. / IAs are much better situated and experienced at creating
*deliverables* -- which is a 'systematized' thing -- like the library 'Dewey
Decimal'system. These 'systematized' things are *implemented onto* to users,
NOT the other way around (i.e. 'users informing' thru testing/research). /
For instance, when you go into a library and ask for direction, thelibrarian
'instructs/helps' you to alter *yourself* to adapt to the existing system.
They NEVER inquire (and are never taught) how to alter *their* system to
adaptability thru user-input. / The librarian is a conciliator (as they are
taught) in the service of the existing system (which does not change). The
librarian has no interest -- indeed no learned ability -- in *how* to 'learn
from the
user.'/ Nevertheless, many businesses continue to ask IAs to perform these
very difficult, necessary, and sensitive research/testing duties from which
all their end-user business decisions are informed. IMHO, they get whatthey
asked for."
	 
	 
	 
Being currently half finishd a MLIS degree I'm afraid I will have to
disagree with your assesment of the current "preperation" of those entering
the field. One of the five required courses in the program is Research
Methods and Statistics which teaches, among other things, proper methods of
qualitative and quantitative research methods. In addition, most of the
principles behind that course are implied, and in some cases explicity,
brought forth in a number of elective courses that make up the remainder of
the degree. In fact, advanced research is one of the two required for the
PhD program. 

There is also a marked difference between the desired outcomes of
focus-group oriented activities, of which I include this discussion on card
sorting, and more quantitative research techniques. Focus groups are based
on gathering information from the individual perspective with the goals of
moving towards a set of what you call deliverables. 



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Michael J. Davis
Content Management Assistant (Co-op Position)
Business Gateway
davis.michael at ic.gc.ca
Tel | Téléphone  519-957-7257
Industry Canada 235 Queen St. Ottawa ON K1A 0H5
Industrie Canada 235, rue Queen Ottawa ON K1A 0H5