Assessment for ALLDATA Collision by Centennial - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by bkahn@centenni… on
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: There are very few user input forms, and most of them are dropdown lists, so although there are not a lot of instructions, most of it is pretty self evident. For example, when looking up a car, there are three dropdown lists - Year, Make and Model, and when you click on them, the options are all displayed in the dropdown list. There is also a form for requesting assistance, and these are all clearly marked with radio buttons.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The search field contains placeholder text and no form labels. There are dropdown lists that have no form labels, but the title of each dropdown list stays at the top when the list is clicked on, e.g. Year, and then when you click the dropdown the list of years appears under the title Year.
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: There are very few user input forms, and most of them are dropdown lists, so although there are no labels, they are pretty self evident. For example, when looking up a car, there are three dropdown lists - Year, Make and Model, and when you click on them, the options are all displayed in the dropdown list. The search field contains placeholder text and no labels. The email/help form has clear labels above user input forms, and radio buttons with clear labels next to them.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: There are not a lot of form fields, and what there is do not use colour coding.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: There are no asterisk, however, when searching a car Year, Make and Model, each dropdown list only works when the one preceding it has been selected. So if you try to select make before selecting year, the Make dropdown list doesn't work. Model is the same - no Make, no Model.
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable.
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: There are not really a lot of input fields, and most of them are drop down lists, so the user starts typing and options appear. Even in the search field, if a mistake is made, the search field is available on the resulting screen to search again.
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: There are not really any forms that I can find on the site. There is a "tell us what you think" form, with an optional email field. I entered a wrong email address and didn't get any kind of error message.
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 abover
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: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The search function doesn't offer suggestions before you enter the search, but if there's a misspelled word that it doesn't recognize, it will offer suggestions after the fact.
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 icons have adjacent links.
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: There are some links - Community, a lot of the new things on the main page - that open in a new tab. Otherwise, most things open in the existing tab.
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: Popups in a new tab happen automatically.
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: 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:
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Keyboard navigation and screen reader seems to work on Collision/Repair page. But on the Community page, keyboard navigation will not let you access the search filters to search specific vehicles - year, make, model, etc. The screen reader (NVDA) does read each filter.
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: Never
Score: 0
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: It is very hard to see the Keyboard Focus on some pages. There is a URL that comes up at the bottom which indicates that the keyboard focus is moving, but it's not always visible on the screen, and the URL itself is not very descriptive.
eResource: ALLDATA Collision
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: Other
Institution: Centennial
Score: B-

Key Findings

Strengths

  • The platform’s layout and navigation is consistent across all pages
  • Page content has appropriate headers and is tagged appropriately

Weaknesses

  • Some user input fields contain labels and clear instructions to help users successfully complete the form

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 There are very few user input forms, and most of them are dropdown lists, so although there are not a lot of instructions, most of it is pretty self evident. For example, when looking up a car, there are three dropdown lists - Year, Make and Model, and when you click on them, the options are all displayed in the dropdown list. There is also a form for requesting assistance, and these are all clearly marked with radio buttons.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Sometimes The search field contains placeholder text and no form labels. There are dropdown lists that have no form labels, but the title of each dropdown list stays at the top when the list is clicked on, e.g. Year, and then when you click the dropdown the list of years appears under the title Year.
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand? Always
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field? Sometimes There are very few user input forms, and most of them are dropdown lists, so although there are no labels, they are pretty self evident. For example, when looking up a car, there are three dropdown lists - Year, Make and Model, and when you click on them, the options are all displayed in the dropdown list. The search field contains placeholder text and no labels. The email/help form has clear labels above user input forms, and radio buttons with clear labels next to them.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? Not Applicable There are not a lot of form fields, and what there is do not use colour coding.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Never There are no asterisk, however, when searching a car Year, Make and Model, each dropdown list only works when the one preceding it has been selected. So if you try to select make before selecting year, the Make dropdown list doesn't work. Model is the same - no Make, no Model.

Error Prevention

Question Answer Notes Images
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable. Always There are not really a lot of input fields, and most of them are drop down lists, so the user starts typing and options appear. Even in the search field, if a mistake is made, the search field is available on the resulting screen to search again.

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 There are not really any forms that I can find on the site. There is a "tell us what you think" form, with an optional email field. I entered a wrong email address and didn't get any kind of error message.
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 abover
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? Always The search function doesn't offer suggestions before you enter the search, but if there's a misspelled word that it doesn't recognize, it will offer suggestions after the fact.

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 icons have adjacent links.
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? Sometimes There are some links - Community, a lot of the new things on the main page - that open in a new tab. Otherwise, most things open in the existing tab.
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 Popups in a new tab happen automatically.
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? 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
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? Sometimes Keyboard navigation and screen reader seems to work on Collision/Repair page. But on the Community page, keyboard navigation will not let you access the search filters to search specific vehicles - year, make, model, etc. The screen reader (NVDA) does read each filter.

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? Never

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? Sometimes It is very hard to see the Keyboard Focus on some pages. There is a URL that comes up at the bottom which indicates that the keyboard focus is moving, but it's not always visible on the screen, and the URL itself is not very descriptive.
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