Dori Tunstall has written a fantastic post that details how a simple card sort can become a deeper exercise in analysis. Dr. Tunstall is a PhD anthropologist and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She explains how anthropology takes design research to a deeper level in card sorting, a common technique for information architecture:
“In addition to the information architecture, I delivered statements about the continued meaning of gender classifications. In the course of conducting the card sort, I learned that men and women continued to classify domestic products based on stereotypical gendered spaces of male equals outside/garage, and female equals inside.”
Dr. Tunstall clearly lays out some of the deeper implications of design anthropology later in the post. This is a must read for anyone looking to deepen their design or research practice.
Categories: Research Methods · design · product design · qualitative research · technology design · user experience