case study no.4Assessing a data catalog’s tagging system for effectiveness
The data catalog had tags, but users couldn't rely on them — an ambiguous mix of system-generated and employee-created labels was undermining search and sort. As research lead, I quantified the extent of that ambiguity and translated it into a clear path forward, which directly shaped the taxonomy rebuild that followed.
ROLE
UX Researcher
TIMELINE
4 weeks
INDUSTRY
Accounting
TEAM
1 researcher, 1 designer, 1 PM
the short versionSummary
CHALLENGE
Users trusted competitors with worse security but clearer visual signals. Perceived safety and actual safety had come apart.
CHALLENGE
Users trusted competitors with worse security but clearer visual signals. Perceived safety and actual safety had come apart.
how I got thereResearch
RESEARCH GOALS
Identify which specific product cues signal trust versus distrust, and whether those cues could be validated and prioritized for design.
METHODOLOGY
Open Card Sort
Closed Card Sort
Usability Testing
PROCESS
KEY LEARNINGS
wrapping up Conclusion
+18% completion
Users trusted competitors with worse security but clearer visual signals. Perceived safety and actual safety had come apart.
Long term impact
Users trusted competitors with worse security but clearer visual signals. Perceived safety and actual safety had come apart.