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Analysing the results of a card sort

Analysing the results of a card sort

Another talk I gave to TCANZ - The Technical Communication Association of New Zealand.

Justine Sanderson

July 30, 2007
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  1. Justine Sanderson Userfaction Ltd Analysing the results of a card

    sort
 & identifying a suitable site structure
  2. Analysing the results 1.  List the category names and card

    groupings provided by participant 2.  Aggregate all the participant-generated category names and sort alphabetically 3.  Look for similarities and standardize 4.  Check back that the standardized categories contain the same cards 1"
  3. Other resources •  Cluster analysis; dendograms •  Joe Lamantia’s spreadsheet

    •  Donna Maurer’s spreadsheet Other analysis tools"
  4. Identifying a structure 2" Academic/Teaching/ Students CECIL student statistics teaching

    awards admissions & enrolment exam timetables graduation library nDeva plagiarism & cheating room bookings teaching days chart SLC examination office tuition fees office student records powerpoint templates Key Dates exam timetables graduation teaching days chart year at a glance HR/Staff/Personal Info career resources CPD courses creche/childcare disability services equal employment opportunity health & safety leave balance leave form pay days recruitment info staff guide superannuation vacancies disciplinary action leave policy scholarships for staff creche application HR connect EEO collective employment agreements promotion/continuation short courses Continuing Education HR contacts EAP doctor/dentist, etc Quick Links library nDeva staff directory University calendar webmail campus map CECIL Forms/Policies disciplinary action internet security leave policy media contact guidelines plagiarism & cheating copyright rules leave form finance forms IT Access forms News & Events events noticeboard short courses Continuing Education Research research database research reports library media contact guidelines uniservices PBRF Campus/ Access/Building building maintenance bus timetable campus map parking rec centre room bookings security card key control property services parking application access hours Computing/IT computer access copyright rules dial-in access helpdesk web page guidelines internet security webmail vector art/logos powerpoint templates vector art/logos IT Access forms Finance/Puchasing account codes PeopleSoft Financials preferred suppliers purchasing travel stuff finance forms
  5. Card Sorting Issues •  Card sorting evaluates how people categorize

    things when they see ALL of the content - BUT - •  When visiting websites, visitors do NOT know all the information contained on the website 1"
  6. Example •  Rugby •  Surfing •  Netball •  Fishing • 

    Tennis •  Tramping •  Sports –  Rugby –  Netball –  Tennis •  Hobbies –  Fishing –  Tramping –  Surfing
  7. Hierarchy issues People keep pretending they can make things hierarchical,

    categorizable, and sequential when they can't. Everything is deeply intertwingled. — Ted Nelson 2" l z
  8. Indistinct Categories If users have to visit all 3 categories,

    the distinction may not be clear enough
  9. Tips to improve labelling •  Avoid high-level, non-words •  Make

    labels longer, more explanatory •  Provide explanatory text •  Show the children of that category •  Rename and retest
  10. Width vs. depth It is better to have: •  MORE

    finer-grain categories - than - •  LESS high-level categories
  11. Alternative models •  Alphabetical •  Chronological •  Geographical •  Guided

    maps •  Lifestages •  Facets •  A combination of the above
  12. Alphabetical Topics •  Animals –  Dog Registration –  Possum Control

    –  … •  Environmental Care –  Beach water quality –  Water conservation –  … A-Z Index •  Beach water quality •  Dog Registration •  Possum Control •  Water conservation 1"