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Usability Test
Hierarchical Card Sorting
A participant sorts labeled cards representing cases or phenomena into groups based on their most significant perceived differences, iteratively refining the groupings until a hierarchical structure emerges. The facilitator records the distinctions and their significance, and may later use the structure to ask evaluative questions about the sorted groups.
When This Method Fits
Typical duration
Hours – Days
Typical cost
Low – Medium
Fidelity level
Mockup
Stage
Discovery
Hypothesis type
Exploratory
Goal type
Find product-market fit, Deepen product-market fit, Maximize societal impact
Randomization
N/A
Study design
Individual case report
Minimum units needed
5
1Best Fit When
Best when you want to understand how people naturally distinguish between cases, revealing categories you might not have anticipated.