Assessment for IBISworld by Algonquin - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by vanderj@algonq… on
Are user input fields accompanied by clear instructions on what the user needs to do to successfully complete the form?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Main/persistent search is only example and does not have clear instructions. (Uses placeholder text for instruction.)
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Main/persistent search is only example and does not have clear instructions. (Uses placeholder text for instruction.)
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Main/persistent search is only example and does not have clear instructions. (Uses placeholder text for instruction.)
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Main/persistent search is only example and does not have clear instructions. (Uses placeholder text for instruction.)
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: No examples present.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: No examples present.
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable.
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
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:
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Alert messages do not indicate the field, however there is only one.
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:
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: Never
Score: 0
Notes: No spelling suggestions or synonyms provided.
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are actions consistently labelled across the site? For example, the “search” button is always labeled “search”.
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are icons that have adjacent links consistent?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: No examples present.
Can the purpose of each link be determined from the link text alone?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
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:
Do other features occur in the same place throughout the website?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are links, buttons, images, and other components that are used repeatedly throughout a website labeled consistently?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
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: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Does the database avoid launching pop-up windows automatically when the database is loaded?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Where pop-ups occur, are users able to postpone or suppress any pop-ups?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: No pop-up windows detected.
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Is page content subdivided hierarchically into appropriate headings and tagged appropriately?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Appropriate headings and tags are lacking.
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Headings are unclear and not reflective of the content.
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: Drop down menus are not used.
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: Drop down menus are not used.
Can all menus and submenus be accessed with screen readers and via keyboard navigation?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Does the “results” page or item record view avoid opening in a new tab without a warning?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Is there an "update now" button that requests a refresh of content rather than automatically updating the content?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: No "update now" button present.
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:
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: IBISworld
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: IBISWorld
Institution: Algonquin
Score: B-

Key Findings

Strengths

  • The platform’s layout and navigation is consistent across all pages

Weaknesses

  • User input fields do not contain labels and clear instructions to help users successfully complete the form
  • Page content does not have appropriate headers and is not tagged appropriately

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? Never Main/persistent search is only example and does not have clear instructions. (Uses placeholder text for instruction.)
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Never Main/persistent search is only example and does not have clear instructions. (Uses placeholder text for instruction.)
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand? Never Main/persistent search is only example and does not have clear instructions. (Uses placeholder text for instruction.)
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field? Never Main/persistent search is only example and does not have clear instructions. (Uses placeholder text for instruction.)
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? Not Applicable No examples present.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Not Applicable No examples present.

Error Prevention

Question Answer Notes Images
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable. Always

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
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix? Never Alert messages do not indicate the field, however there is only one.
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
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? Never No spelling suggestions or synonyms provided.

Functionality of Interactive Elements

Question Answer Notes Images
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site? Always
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type? Always
Are actions consistently labelled across the site? For example, the “search” button is always labeled “search”. Always
Are icons that have adjacent links consistent? Not Applicable No examples present.
Can the purpose of each link be determined from the link text alone? Always

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
Do other features occur in the same place throughout the website? Always
Are links, buttons, images, and other components that are used repeatedly throughout a website labeled consistently? Always

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? Always
Does the database avoid launching pop-up windows automatically when the database is loaded? Always
Where pop-ups occur, are users able to postpone or suppress any pop-ups? Not Applicable No pop-up windows detected.
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing? Always

Headers

Question Answer Notes Images
Is page content subdivided hierarchically into appropriate headings and tagged appropriately? Never Appropriate headings and tags are lacking.
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading? Never Headings are unclear and not reflective of the content.

Menus

Question Answer Notes Images
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options? Not Applicable Drop down menus are not used.
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items? Not Applicable Drop down menus are not used.
Can all menus and submenus be accessed with screen readers and via keyboard navigation? Always

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
Is there an "update now" button that requests a refresh of content rather than automatically updating the content? Never No "update now" button present.
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
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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