Assessment for Canadian Points of View by St. Clair - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by kdaigneau@stcl… on
Are user input fields accompanied by clear instructions on what the user needs to do to successfully complete the form?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The main search bar that is in the header on each webpage has placeholder text that explains what users are supposed to do. There is also a question mark (?) icon beside the search button that the user can click to get help with how to search. In the advance search options, there are not placeholder or labels in the input fields but titles that stand for instructions above, below or to the side of the fields.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: There is no required field for the user to fill out. However, if a user hits the search button leaving the field blank or puts in terms that gets no results—user will be asked in red text to enter search terms or no results were found.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: There are no required fields to fill out.
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable.
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The input fields are reversible. Search History allows users to rerun or edit their search. However, the user must click on it.
Are alert messages clearly visible to the user, either at the top of the form field, inline, or through a dialog box?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: If users make mistakes with their search terms or leave the field blank, alert message will appear below the main search bar. A box will also appear with helpful tips.
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The only form that appears in this database is for signing in. If users put in the wrong details, they will be prompted to resubmit. However, students signing in through their institution account should not have to sign in directly to EBSCO Host login page.
Do error reports follow a logical reading and navigation order?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
When a user spells a word incorrectly, does the search function offer spelling suggestions or synonyms?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: When users type in a few letters in the search field, they are given suggestions of possible terms. This also offers spelling suggestions and sometimes synonyms. Though it depends on what the user is searching.
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Most of the icons are found on the right side of the page when a user pulls up the article. PDF download and HTML link are on the left side. There is a question mark (?) icon that signifies search help beside the search button in the header on every page.
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The alternative text is clear and consistent for all icon types.
Are actions consistently labelled across the site? For example, the “search” button is always labeled “search”.
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The search button is always located in the header and remains there no matter what link or page the user clicks.
Are icons that have adjacent links consistent?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Can the purpose of each link be determined from the link text alone?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Each icon has corresponding text beside it, with the exception of the question mark (?) by the search button which indicates searching help options.
Does the eresource have a consistent layout and navigation across all pages?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are search fields located in the same places throughout the website?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The search fields are all located in the same place. The main search bar is in the header where it remains on all pages.
Do other features occur in the same place throughout the website?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The navigational bar (new search, publications, subjects, images/video, index—left side and sign in, folder, preferences, help, and exit—right side) is in the top header of the database and this remains consistent across all pages. EBSCO connect, privacy policy, terms of use, copyright, cookie policy and copyright information remains in the footer of the database and this remains consistent on all pages.
Are links, buttons, images, and other components that are used repeatedly throughout a website labeled consistently?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The search button is always at the top. The same icons are always on the right side of article pages and the full PDF and HTML full text is on the right side. Related items box with point, counterpoint, guide to critical analysis, images, research guides, curriculum standards are always in a box to the left of the article. Related Information box and find similar results box are on the left side under detail records.
Does the electronic resource avoid the use of pop-up windows which open automatically in a new tab if a user clicks on a button?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Most of the links open in the same tab. However, there are a few instances where link open in a new tab—all the links in the footer and Curriculum Standards in the reference shelf box on the main page. The links in the related items box on article pages also open in a new window.
Does the database avoid launching pop-up windows automatically when the database is loaded?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The popups only launch when the user clicks on the link.
Where pop-ups occur, are users able to postpone or suppress any pop-ups?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes:
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: When the popup windows launch for the related items box links there is only the address bar but no back, next or refresh buttons.
Is page content subdivided hierarchically into appropriate headings and tagged appropriately?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: There are very few drop-down menu options. The main navigation bar requires users to simply click and they are taken to the page. The only drop-down menu options are on the advance search page—Limit your results, and number of pages options. There are ten main navigational links in the main header of database pages. Five on each side.
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Can all menus and submenus be accessed with screen readers and via keyboard navigation?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: All menu items are accessible through keyboard and screen reader navigation. It is easy to navigate using the keyboard and the screen reader will read all links even the collapsed lists. The only areas the screen reader does not read without the mouse hovering or is the title links.
Does the “results” page or item record view avoid opening in a new tab without a warning?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The results page and item record view avoid opening in a new tab. It loads in the current page.
Is there an "update now" button that requests a refresh of content rather than automatically updating the content?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: All changes made in the applying filters is automatically updated.
Does the database avoid automatic redirection?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Does the form refrain from submitting automatically when a component receives focus?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: There are few forms in this database.
Does the database avoid launching new windows when a component receives focus?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Does the database avoid change of focus when a component receives focus?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are you able to tab through a page using keyboard navigation without the keyboard focus moving away from the control?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
eResource: Canadian Points of View
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: EBSCO
Institution: St. Clair
Score: A

Labels and Instructions for Interactive Elements

Question Answer Notes Images
Are user input fields accompanied by clear instructions on what the user needs to do to successfully complete the form? Always The main search bar that is in the header on each webpage has placeholder text that explains what users are supposed to do. There is also a question mark (?) icon beside the search button that the user can click to get help with how to search. In the advance search options, there are not placeholder or labels in the input fields but titles that stand for instructions above, below or to the side of the fields.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Always
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand? Always
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field? Always
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? Not Applicable There is no required field for the user to fill out. However, if a user hits the search button leaving the field blank or puts in terms that gets no results—user will be asked in red text to enter search terms or no results were found.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Not Applicable There are no required fields to fill out.

Error Prevention

Question Answer Notes Images
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable. Always The input fields are reversible. Search History allows users to rerun or edit their search. However, the user must click on it.

Error Reports

Question Answer Notes Images
Are alert messages clearly visible to the user, either at the top of the form field, inline, or through a dialog box? Always If users make mistakes with their search terms or leave the field blank, alert message will appear below the main search bar. A box will also appear with helpful tips.
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix? Always
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error? Always
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission? Always The only form that appears in this database is for signing in. If users put in the wrong details, they will be prompted to resubmit. However, students signing in through their institution account should not have to sign in directly to EBSCO Host login page.
Do error reports follow a logical reading and navigation order? Always

Search function spell-check

Question Answer Notes Images
When a user spells a word incorrectly, does the search function offer spelling suggestions or synonyms? Always When users type in a few letters in the search field, they are given suggestions of possible terms. This also offers spelling suggestions and sometimes synonyms. Though it depends on what the user is searching.

Functionality of Interactive Elements

Question Answer Notes Images
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site? Always Most of the icons are found on the right side of the page when a user pulls up the article. PDF download and HTML link are on the left side. There is a question mark (?) icon that signifies search help beside the search button in the header on every page.
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type? Always The alternative text is clear and consistent for all icon types.
Are actions consistently labelled across the site? For example, the “search” button is always labeled “search”. Always The search button is always located in the header and remains there no matter what link or page the user clicks.
Are icons that have adjacent links consistent? Always
Can the purpose of each link be determined from the link text alone? Always Each icon has corresponding text beside it, with the exception of the question mark (?) by the search button which indicates searching help options.

Consistent Navigation

Question Answer Notes Images
Does the eresource have a consistent layout and navigation across all pages? Always
Are search fields located in the same places throughout the website? Always The search fields are all located in the same place. The main search bar is in the header where it remains on all pages.
Do other features occur in the same place throughout the website? Always The navigational bar (new search, publications, subjects, images/video, index—left side and sign in, folder, preferences, help, and exit—right side) is in the top header of the database and this remains consistent across all pages. EBSCO connect, privacy policy, terms of use, copyright, cookie policy and copyright information remains in the footer of the database and this remains consistent on all pages.
Are links, buttons, images, and other components that are used repeatedly throughout a website labeled consistently? Always The search button is always at the top. The same icons are always on the right side of article pages and the full PDF and HTML full text is on the right side. Related items box with point, counterpoint, guide to critical analysis, images, research guides, curriculum standards are always in a box to the left of the article. Related Information box and find similar results box are on the left side under detail records.

Pop-up windows/Interruptions

Question Answer Notes Images
Does the electronic resource avoid the use of pop-up windows which open automatically in a new tab if a user clicks on a button? Sometimes Most of the links open in the same tab. However, there are a few instances where link open in a new tab—all the links in the footer and Curriculum Standards in the reference shelf box on the main page. The links in the related items box on article pages also open in a new window.
Does the database avoid launching pop-up windows automatically when the database is loaded? Always The popups only launch when the user clicks on the link.
Where pop-ups occur, are users able to postpone or suppress any pop-ups? Never
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing? Never When the popup windows launch for the related items box links there is only the address bar but no back, next or refresh buttons.

Headers

Question Answer Notes Images
Is page content subdivided hierarchically into appropriate headings and tagged appropriately? Always
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading? Always

Menus

Question Answer Notes Images
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options? Always There are very few drop-down menu options. The main navigation bar requires users to simply click and they are taken to the page. The only drop-down menu options are on the advance search page—Limit your results, and number of pages options. There are ten main navigational links in the main header of database pages. Five on each side.
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items? Always
Can all menus and submenus be accessed with screen readers and via keyboard navigation? Always All menu items are accessible through keyboard and screen reader navigation. It is easy to navigate using the keyboard and the screen reader will read all links even the collapsed lists. The only areas the screen reader does not read without the mouse hovering or is the title links.

Change of context

Question Answer Notes Images
Does the “results” page or item record view avoid opening in a new tab without a warning? Always The results page and item record view avoid opening in a new tab. It loads in the current page.
Is there an "update now" button that requests a refresh of content rather than automatically updating the content? Never All changes made in the applying filters is automatically updated.
Does the database avoid automatic redirection? Always

Change of Context: Focus

Question Answer Notes Images
Does the form refrain from submitting automatically when a component receives focus? Always There are few forms in this database.
Does the database avoid launching new windows when a component receives focus? Always
Does the database avoid change of focus when a component receives focus? Always
Are you able to tab through a page using keyboard navigation without the keyboard focus moving away from the control? Always
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