CIA Card Sorting and Tree Testing Methods Flashcards

What is a 'first-click test' and how does it relate to information architecture?

Answer: A test measuring where users first click when trying to complete a task

First-click testing shows where users initially click to start a task, helping IAs understand whether navigation labels and placement are intuitive.

In card sorting, what does 'agreement score' measure?

Answer: The percentage of participants who placed a card in the same category

Agreement score indicates consensus among participants, with high scores showing strong agreement on where a content item belongs.

A 'hybrid card sort' combines elements of open and closed sorting by:

Answer: Providing some predefined categories while allowing participants to create additional ones

Hybrid card sorts offer a set of existing categories but also allow participants to create new categories if none fit, balancing validation with discovery.

What is the recommended minimum number of participants for a statistically useful card sort?

Answer: 15

Most IA researchers recommend at least 15 participants for card sorting to identify reliable patterns and meaningful clusters.

In tree testing, a 'directness' score refers to:

Answer: Whether a user navigated straight to the answer without backtracking

Directness measures whether participants found the correct answer on their first navigation path without revisiting previous nodes.

When should an IA prefer tree testing over card sorting?

Answer: When evaluating a proposed or existing navigation structure for findability

Tree testing is ideal for validating a proposed navigation structure, while card sorting is better for discovering how users think about content groupings.