Card Sorting Report
UX Research Methods | Spring 2024
University of Miami Interactive Media Website Directive and Hastily
Introduction
The University of Miami's Interactive Media website currently features a variety of content. This includes different degree program information, student work, industry and faculty information. Presented through an innovative design with multimedia content, it allows a variety of users an overview of the program and opportunities.
To better determine a user’s preferences for grouping, abeling, and placement of items on the UM Interactive Media website an open card sort study was conducted. The team of 3 conducted 9 digitally moderated studies, utilizing a directive and hastily approach, through Zoom. A pre-test questionnaire was also given to all participants. Optimal Sort was used to conduct the exercise where 46 cards were given to sort and categorize.
OBJECTIVE
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Determine how users organize the major features of university program website (UM Interactive Media)
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Identify words users employ to describe various types of information available on the website (i.e. the categories)
Based on study results, the team recommended a new layout, navigation, content, and terminology of the UM Interactive Media website.
Methods
Study Directions
Approach
Directive - participants were told that the items were for the UM Interactive Media (University degree Program) website
Hastily - Moderators emphasized that the sorting should be completed as quickly as possible.
Data Collection
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Participant timing was both manually and automatically recorded by the moderator and Optimal Workshop
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Demographic information was collected using a pre-test questionnaire
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Card sorting metrics and analysis was provided by Optimal Workshop
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Direct participant observations, questions, and actions were written by moderators to be used as supporting artifacts
Item List (Cards)
Participants
Demographic Data
Participants
University of Miami Interactive Media Website Data
*Data provided by the 3 users who have visited the website befor
Satisfaction
Website Experience
Averages
Time on task
Longest: 29 min 55 sec
Shortest: 11 min 18 sec
Common Category Labels
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About
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Alumni
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Application
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Careers/Jobs
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Contact
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Donations
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FAQ
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Information
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MFA
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UM
Number of Groups
64 groups created in total across participants
Average: 6 Groups each
Median: 7 Groups each
Across Participants 4 groups created by 13% (1 participant)
6 groups created by 38% (3 participant)
8 groups created by 25% (2 participant)
9 groups created by 13% (1 participant)
12 groups created by 13% (1 participant)
5 groups created by 1 participant whose results where abandoned by OptimalSort
Distance Matrix
Recommendation:
Contact information (newsletter sign-up and social media) should be grouped together
Recommendation:
Career and job information for students and highlights about students should be grouped together
Recommendation:
Master of Fine Arts information should all be grouped together, specifically degree information (electives, courses, program description)
Recommendation:
Application information should be grouped together, specifically
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how to apply
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program application requirements
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Deadlines
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Portfolio guidelines
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Sending supporting documents
Dendrogram
Actual Agreement Method at 60%
Agreement highlight
This method works best with 30+ participants and depicts only absolutely factual relationships.
Actual Agreement Method at 60%
Agreement highlight
Best merge method is used when dealing with a smaller sample size. This takes assumptions about larger clusters based on individual pair relationships.
3D Cluster View
6 Groups:
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Career Center
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Information about Media Graduate Program
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Classes
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FAQs
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Int Media Offers
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Information Dump
