[Sigia-l] testing navigation models

[Donna Maurer]

Card sorting is a generative technique, not an evaluation technique. It 
is used to get ideas on content groupings, not to test that they work. 
Card sorting is related to groupings of information. These may 
eventually be represented in navigation, but there is no real link 
between card sorting and navigation.

Angela, what are you trying to test? Are you trying to:

* determine whether the groupings and labels you have used work (the IA)
* make sure people can see the different navigation zones on a page, 
such as global, local and related info
* determine which page layout is most effective
* make sure people can hit targets or operate flyout menus
* something else entirely

The way you test will be dependent on what you are trying to learn. 
There aren't any magic testing methodologies - you have to try to narrow 
down what you want to know and then figure out a way to learn that.

Donna

FelcanSmith, Mark wrote:

>Card sorting...in person or remote, are great for testing navigation models.
>
>hope these help,
>-Mark
>
>http://condor.depaul.edu/~jtoro/cardzort/
>
>http://www.websort.net
>
>http://uzilla.mozdev.org/cardsort.html
>
>  
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: sigia-l-bounces at asis.org [mailto:sigia-l-bounces at asis.org]On
>>Behalf Of Angela Azzolino
>>Sent: Monday, March 21, 2005 12:06 PM
>>To: Sigia-l at asis.org
>>Subject: [Sigia-l] testing navigation models
>>
>>
>>Looking for methods to test navigation models. With no time allotted
>>to testing in the schedule I'm looking for recommendations from the
>>community to test a navigation model designed for a non-transactional
>>information site with six user groups, one primary.  What are some
>>non-html, fast, and dirty methods out there?
>>    
>>


-- 
Donna Maurer
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blog: http://maadmob.net/donna/blog/
AIM: maadmob