A research method where people group topics written on cards into categories that make sense to them, revealing how users expect content to be organized. It helps designers build menus around real mental models.
Synonyms
- card sort
Related terms
- tree testing
- taxonomy
- mental model
- information architecture
- affinity diagram
In plain words
- asking people to sort topics into piles
- a grouping exercise with users
- letting users organize the categories
Usage example
A quick card sorting session showed users expected billing under account, not under settings.
Don't confuse with…
- tree testingCard sorting asks users to build categories; tree testing checks whether they can find things in categories you already built.
Categories
- Information architecture