[Sigia-l] testing navigation models

[FelcanSmith, Mark]

Good point, in fact I had just finished a card sorting exercise before I
replied, and as such had it on the brain. However, as others have
mentioned, there is value in performing a validation via card sorting -
and that was in fact the exercise I was running. Granted, as Donna
pointed out, it does not *test* the navigation, rather the IA.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: sigia-l-bounces at asis.org [mailto:sigia-l-bounces at asis.org]On
> Behalf Of Donna Maurer
> Sent: Monday, March 21, 2005 4:09 PM
> To: sigia-l
> Subject: Re: [Sigia-l] testing navigation models
> 
> 
> 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
> e: donna at maadmob.net
> blog: http://maadmob.net/donna/blog/
> AIM: maadmob
> 
> 
> 
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