[Sigia-l] Questions about card sorting

[Leslie Johnston]

We do card sorts in two different group formats:

1.  We have set up groups of 4-6 where each person has their own set of 
cards for an open sort.  Each devises their own organization for the first 
half of the time.  Then they each present, and then the group discusses the 
various solutions.  In this way we document each participant's sort and the 
group discussion.  This strategy works for smaller (<40 items) sites, both 
new designs and revisions.

2.  Groups of 4-6 for a mostly closed sort where the group organizes the 
cards together.  It's not a fully closed sort because we do allow the 
addition of organizing categories.  We generally use this strategy for 
larger (50-100 items) new and revised sites.

Leslie

At 05:48 PM 10/18/2004, Barford, Patricia wrote:
>A great piece and the one that prompted my questions. I was left
>wondering what would be the best choices for my situation. I'm still
>curious as to the pros and cons of group vs. individual sorts.
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: sigia-l-bounces at asis.org [mailto:sigia-l-bounces at asis.org] On
>Behalf Of Todd Warfel
>Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 3:40 PM
>To: SIGIA-L
>Subject: Re: [Sigia-l] Questions about card sorting
>
>Exactly the reason Donna and I wrote the following article:
>http://www.boxesandarrows.com/archives/
>card_sorting_a_definitive_guide.php
>
>Let me know if you have any more questions after reading it.
>
>On Oct 18, 2004, at 4:26 PM, Barford, Patricia wrote:
>
> > I'm involved in the redesign of a very large corporate intranet
> > (14,000 pages). We've decided to do a card sort,but I'd like some
> > feedback as to methods and types.  What are the advantages (or not) of
>
> > using groups vs.
> > individuals; and open vs. closed sorts? How many groups and what size
> > work best?
>
>
>Cheers!
>
>Todd R. Warfel
>Partner, Design and Usability Specialist MessageFirst | making products
>easier to use
>--------------------------------------
>Contact Info
>voice:  (607) 339-9640
>email:  twarfel at messagefirst.com
>web:    www.messagefirst.com
>aim:            twarfel at mac.com
>--------------------------------------
>In theory, theory and practice are the same.
>In practice, they are not.
>
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------------
Leslie Johnston
Director, Digital Access Services
University of Virginia Library
http://lib.virginia.edu/digital/
johnston at virginia.edu