[Sigia-l] Card sorting

[Todd Warfel]

Yes, descriptions are key. We recently did a card sort w/o descriptions
(someone else prepared the cards) and the resulting data was flawed. When we
reviewed w/the client they couldn't understand why several of the items were
placed where they were. Come to find out, by admission of the CEO several of
the items had titles that didn't match the content/function. Um, that's a
problem. So, we had to rework the data and retitle a bunch of items.

Descriptions.

On Apr 26, 2006, at 1:06 AM, Eric Scheid wrote:


For instance I can see the case of someone putting everything that has the
word " information" in it in one category; but I am sure the same person
might not look for those items all in one category when faced with an
organized system...I wonder if I have been able to convey what I mean.

Perhaps this is part of the art of card sorting -- try not to prejudice the
grouping by what you write on the cards. So, instead of writing "information
about X", "information about Y", (etc) use descriptive phrases. Mix it up.
Draw on a thesaurus. Throw in some duplicates, just worded differently ..
this is also a technique used in composing surveys to identify aberrant
respondents.



e.


Cheers!

Todd R. Warfel
Partner, Design & Usability Specialist
Messagefirst | designing and usability consulting
--------------------------------------
Contact Info
Voice: (607) 339-9640
Email: todd at messagefirst.com
AIM: twarfel at mac.com
Blog: http://toddwarfel.com
--------------------------------------
In theory, theory and practice are the same.
In practice, they are not.