Assessment for ASME Standards by Durham - Module 2: Interface Navigation

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Are user input fields accompanied by clear instructions on what the user needs to do to successfully complete the form?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: This database does not have a lot of user input fields other than those in the Search box (no email option, etc). The Search box is missing several form labels, instead relying on placeholder text.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: See above
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: What labels there are, are in the correct location.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: No coloured form control labels.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: The Search box is the only form in this database and it does not use any additional visual indicators.
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable.
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The Search box is the only input field. Users are able to reenter their search terms as needed.
Are alert messages clearly visible to the user, either at the top of the form field, inline, or through a dialog box?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: The only user input form is the Search option - no alert messages available.
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: See above
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: See above
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: See above
Do error reports follow a logical reading and navigation order?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: See above
When a user spells a word incorrectly, does the search function offer spelling suggestions or synonyms?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes:
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: This database uses very few icons but those that do exist are consistent.
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Search icon is main one that appears across all pages and it does not always have alt text.
Are actions consistently labelled across the site? For example, the “search” button is always labeled “search”.
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The Search button is missing a label on the Home page, but has one on the other pages.
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:
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: Never
Score: 0
Notes: The only pop-ups that occur are for instructions/additional text that appear when the user hovers over items like the search icon (other than on the home screen), print or clear options. These generally appear at the bottom of the screen.
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: For each screen, the WAVE function shows 'this page has no heading structure'
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: 'No heading structure' (Wave)
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
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:
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:
Does the database avoid automatic redirection?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Does the form refrain from submitting automatically when a component receives focus?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
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: ASME Standards
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Institution: Durham
Score: B-

Key Findings

Strengths

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

Weaknesses

  • Some user input fields 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? Sometimes This database does not have a lot of user input fields other than those in the Search box (no email option, etc). The Search box is missing several form labels, instead relying on placeholder text.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Sometimes See above
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 What labels there are, are in the correct location.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? Not Applicable No coloured form control labels.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Not Applicable The Search box is the only form in this database and it does not use any additional visual indicators.

Error Prevention

Question Answer Notes Images
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable. Always The Search box is the only input field. Users are able to reenter their search terms as needed.

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? Not Applicable The only user input form is the Search option - no alert messages available.
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix? Not Applicable See above
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error? Not Applicable See above
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission? Not Applicable See above
Do error reports follow a logical reading and navigation order? Not Applicable See above

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

Functionality of Interactive Elements

Question Answer Notes Images
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site? Always This database uses very few icons but those that do exist are consistent.
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type? Never Search icon is main one that appears across all pages and it does not always have alt text.
Are actions consistently labelled across the site? For example, the “search” button is always labeled “search”. Sometimes The Search button is missing a label on the Home page, but has one on the other pages.
Are icons that have adjacent links consistent? Always
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? Never The only pop-ups that occur are for instructions/additional text that appear when the user hovers over items like the search icon (other than on the home screen), print or clear options. These generally appear at the bottom of the screen.
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 For each screen, the WAVE function shows 'this page has no heading structure'
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading? Never 'No heading structure' (Wave)

Menus

Question Answer Notes Images
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options? Always
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

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
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? Never
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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