What are the most effective tree testing methods for IA prototypes?

Tree testing is a user research technique that evaluates the findability and usability of your information architecture (IA) prototypes. It involves presenting users with a simplified version of your IA in the form of a text-based tree and asking them to locate specific items or tasks. By analyzing how users navigate the tree, you can identify potential problems and improvements for your IA design. In this article, you will learn about the most effective tree testing methods for IA prototypes, including:

1 Remote vs. In-person

One of the main decisions you need to make when planning a tree test is whether to conduct it remotely or in-person. Remote tree testing allows you to reach a larger and more diverse sample of users, reduce costs and logistics, and use online tools and platforms to create and administer the test. However, remote testing also has some drawbacks, such as less control over the testing environment, less interaction and feedback from the users, and more potential for technical issues or distractions. In-person tree testing, on the other hand, gives you more opportunity to observe and communicate with the users, clarify instructions or questions, and ensure a consistent and reliable testing setting. However, in-person testing also requires more resources, time, and coordination, and may limit the size and diversity of your user group.

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Naha Hari Krishna J

WordPress, Facebook Ads, SEO | Web Designer | Digital Marketing
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Remote Tree Testing: Advantage: 1. Wider participants pool 2. Cost efficient 3. Flexible scheduling Consideration: 1. Limited interaction 2. Technology Barriers In-Person tree testing: Advantage: 1. Facilitated interaction 2. Observation insights Consideration: 1. Logical Challenges 2. Limited Geographic Scope

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Apurvo Ghosh, HFI CUA™

Design Leadership - Design Thinking - 📚Published Author - Thought Leadership - Portfolio Management - UX Strategy - UX Sales - Digital Transformation - UX Research - Storyteller - People Management - Product Manager
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The most effective tree testing methods for IA prototypes include: 1. Closed card sorting: Participants organize predefined content into categories, revealing how users expect information to be structured. 2. Open card sorting: Participants create their own categories, providing insights into alternative information hierarchies. 3. Reverse card sorting: Participants match tasks or questions to content categories, assessing findability and navigation efficiency. 4. Tree testing: Users perform tasks within a simplified site map, uncovering navigational challenges and IA weaknesses. 5. Remote testing: Conducting tree tests remotely allows for broader participation and diverse insights while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

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Kamal Singh

Strategic Enterprise Architect | Cloud Visionary | Expert in Business-IT Alignment & Program Management 🚀✨
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In today's global organizations, teams are often spread out, making in-person testing challenging. However, remote testing has its own advantages. It forces testing teams to carefully plan and define their objectives, resulting in a well-structured and guided process. In-person testing can sometimes be more spontaneous, leading to inconsistent results.

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2 Open vs. Closed

Another important choice you need to make when designing a tree test is whether to use an open or a closed format. Open tree testing allows users to freely explore the tree and find their own way to the items or tasks, without giving them any predefined options or categories. This method is useful for testing the overall structure and logic of your IA, as well as the labels and terminology you use. However, open testing also requires more cognitive effort and time from the users, and may produce more ambiguous or incomplete results. Closed tree testing, on the other hand, gives users a set of options or categories to choose from at each level of the tree, and asks them to select the best one for the item or task. This method is useful for testing the clarity and accuracy of your IA, as well as the user expectations and preferences. However, closed testing also limits the user choices and feedback, and may introduce bias or confusion from the options or categories you provide.

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Kamal Singh

Strategic Enterprise Architect | Cloud Visionary | Expert in Business-IT Alignment & Program Management 🚀✨
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Closed tree testing is a structured approach for testing complex applications, particularly when multiple stakeholder groups share the same UI or functionality. Testers create a hierarchical tree structure representing the application's features and workflows. They systematically navigate through this structure, testing each component within its context and capturing relevant details. This method ensures thorough testing, uncovering issues related to usability and functionality. Additionally, it facilitates effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and testing teams.

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3 Moderated vs. Unmoderated

A third key factor you need to consider when conducting a tree test is whether to have a moderator or not. Moderated tree testing involves having a researcher or facilitator guide the users through the test, provide instructions and explanations, ask follow-up questions, and observe and record the user behavior and reactions. This method is useful for gaining more insight and context into the user experience, as well as addressing any issues or difficulties that may arise during the test. However, moderated testing also introduces more variability and subjectivity into the test, as well as more influence and interference from the moderator. Unmoderated tree testing, on the other hand, lets the users complete the test on their own, without any intervention or assistance from the researcher or facilitator. This method is useful for collecting more objective and consistent data, as well as reducing the pressure and bias on the users. However, unmoderated testing also reduces the opportunity and quality of the user feedback, as well as the ability to resolve any problems or questions that may occur during the test.

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Kamal Singh

Strategic Enterprise Architect | Cloud Visionary | Expert in Business-IT Alignment & Program Management 🚀✨
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In the realm of tree testing, I find unmoderated sessions more effective. They compel IA teams to thoroughly prepare for desired outcomes and adopt a systematic approach to achieve them. By minimizing factors like experience, preference, and knowledge, unmoderated testing ensures higher standards of outcomes. These results can then serve as reliable bases for further decision-making processes.

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4 Quantitative vs. Qualitative

A final aspect you need to think about when analyzing a tree test is whether to focus on quantitative or qualitative data. Quantitative data refers to the numerical and measurable information that you can collect from the test, such as the success rate, time, and number of clicks that the users take to complete the items or tasks. This data is useful for evaluating the performance and efficiency of your IA, as well as comparing and contrasting different versions or iterations of your IA. However, quantitative data also lacks the depth and nuance that can explain the user behavior and motivation, as well as the context and relevance of the test. Qualitative data, on the other hand, refers to the descriptive and interpretive information that you can gather from the test, such as the user comments, feedback, and satisfaction that they express during or after the test. This data is useful for understanding the user perspective and perception of your IA, as well as identifying and exploring the strengths and weaknesses of your IA. However, qualitative data also requires more time and effort to collect and analyze, as well as more subjectivity and judgment to synthesize and report.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Jason Kogan

Founder @ realTQR Interactive Showings // Passionate UX Leader // Mentor // Consultant
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Whatever your method to test the results of your IA approach, make sure that you're starting from the right footing. Ensure that you have done your user research, built your personas and understand your user. Before building out your site architecture, and informed with the right research, do a card sorting exercise. Card sorting will help you visualize, first, what pages your product should have, and second, clearly divide those pages into meaningful sections. Pro tip, always ensure that your naming is intuition. From a section names, the user should be able to intuitively know which section to go to in order to solve their problem. Validating your naming and structure is where the value of Tree Testing comes to life!

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What are the most effective tree testing methods for IA prototypes?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Remote vs. In-person

2 Open vs. Closed

3 Moderated vs. Unmoderated

4 Quantitative vs. Qualitative

5 Here’s what else to consider

Information Architecture

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What are the most effective tree testing methods for IA prototypes?

1

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3

4

5

1 Remote vs. In-person

2 Open vs. Closed

3 Moderated vs. Unmoderated

4 Quantitative vs. Qualitative

5 Here’s what else to consider

Information Architecture

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