The Automated Card-Sort as An Interface Design Tool: A Comparison of Products

Abstract

The method of card-sorting is a very useful tool for interface design as it can help to uncover the mental models of users concerning the relationships among various interface items (links, menu choices, etc.). However, methodological difficulties associated with traditional sorting procedures such as time and space requirements, as well as tedious data analyses, have limited the practical utility of card-sorts. Some software tools have emerged that purport to automate the card-sorting procedure, as well as analysis of results, in order to attenuate or eliminate these difficulties. Three tools available for free download from the Internet were chosen for review. The tools were compared and contrasted in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, from the standpoint of the researcher as well as the participant. While all three tools were found to save much time and effort over manual sorting procedures, each also carries with it a set of unique capabilities and limitations, leaving open the possibility for improved automated sorting tools in the future.