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User Research Tool - OptimalSort

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OptimalSort is a web-based card sorting software tool developed in June 2007 by New Zealand consulting company Optimal Usability.
This tool allows for both open and closed card sorting exercises to be created and participated in by users in multiple locations at the same time.  OptimalSort also incorporates a survey component so that you can survey your users at the same time.
Creating a card sort exercise To create a card sorting exercise, the card names are manually entered into the tool or via a CSV file.  Any survey questions or customized instructions are then added. Screen shot of the card creation screen Click image to view larger A URL is created which you send to your participants.  To complete a card sorting exercise, the participants drag and drop the cards from a list, into categories (with or without headings depending if it is an open or a closed sort).  This drag and drop action is a metaphor for the creation of card piles that occurs with a physical card sorting exercise.  Users can also add comments about the exercise if they wish. Screen shot of the participants view of a card sort Click image to view larger
Interpreting the results Once the exercise is completed, OptimalSort provides the results in 3 ways. Summary data - the results are presented in a tabular format. Screen shot of the summary results Click image to view larger Raw data - the data from each particpant is provided in a hyperlinked table which allows you to compare results from the other particpants. Screen shot of the raw data results Click image to view larger Labels list - an A to Z list of all of the category labels created by the particpants (open sorts only). Screen shot of a labels list Click image to view larger All results can be exported to Microsoft Excel or as a CSV file to be used with other software as raw data or in the template provided by OptimalSort.

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