Closed Card Sort

A closed card sort is a user research method where participants organize content items into categories that you provide, without creating their own labels.

How It Works

1. You provide predefined category names
2. Participants sort items into these fixed categories
3. No option to create new categories
4. Validates whether your categories make sense

When to Use

• Validation: Testing if existing categories work
• Comparison: Evaluating two navigation structures
• Refinement: Optimizing an existing architecture
• A/B testing: Comparing category label options

Advantages

• Faster for participants to complete
• Easier to analyze statistically
• Tests specific hypotheses
• Clear yes/no validation
• Smaller sample size needed (30-50 participants)

Challenges

• Limited by your assumptions
• May miss better category structures
• Doesn't reveal new ideas
• Can force unnatural groupings

Best Practices

• Ensure categories are mutually exclusive
• Include 5-10 categories maximum
• Recruit 30-50 participants
• Consider adding "Other" or "Unsure" category
• Follow up with open card sort if results are poor