Assessment for Oxford World's Classics by University of Toronto - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by kimukimu.kim@m… 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: While the website does not require user login, the login option enables users to save content and searches for future visits. Where the user chooses to login, clear instructions are provided for user input 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: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Fields are shown in light red but
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Required form fields are marked with a red asterisk.
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: Alert message appears at the top of the form field.
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: Never
Score: 0
Notes: (User profile creation page only) Once all the fields are filled and passwords match, user profile is immediately created. If you find an error afterwards, e.g. you typed your name wrong, you can go to your personal profile by clicking your name and select the "edit profile details" tab, where you can make changes.
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: When a common spelling error (e.g. misspelling a common noun) occurs, a red underline appears but disappears after a few seconds. After search is conducted and no results are found, the resource makes action suggestions as to what users can do, including spelling check, but does not make spelling suggestions. Below are the suggestions given:

Check the spelling of your search term(s)
Search for another term(s)
Widen your search by removing filters from the list above, or by entering your term(s) in the Quick Search box above
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: 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: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: No pop-ups appeared during resource assessment.
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: Headings = chapters. Where chapters have titles, the chapter titles are also marked.
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: There is no drop-down menu designed for page navigation purposes; drop-downs are for the text's hierarchical structures of parts, chapters, and where applicable, sub-chapters.
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: As there is no drop-downs on the page, all menu items are made visible.
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: 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: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
eResource: Oxford World's Classics
eResource Type: eBooks
Vendor: Oxford University Press
Institution: University of Toronto
Score: A-

Key Findings

Strengths

  • The platform’s layout and navigation is consistent across all pages
  • User input fields contain labels and clear instructions to help users successfully complete the form
  • Page content has appropriate headers and is 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? Always While the website does not require user login, the login option enables users to save content and searches for future visits. Where the user chooses to login, clear instructions are provided for user input 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? Never Fields are shown in light red but
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Always Required form fields are marked with a red asterisk.

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 Alert message appears at the top of the form field.
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? Never (User profile creation page only) Once all the fields are filled and passwords match, user profile is immediately created. If you find an error afterwards, e.g. you typed your name wrong, you can go to your personal profile by clicking your name and select the "edit profile details" tab, where you can make changes.
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 When a common spelling error (e.g. misspelling a common noun) occurs, a red underline appears but disappears after a few seconds. After search is conducted and no results are found, the resource makes action suggestions as to what users can do, including spelling check, but does not make spelling suggestions. Below are the suggestions given: Check the spelling of your search term(s) Search for another term(s) Widen your search by removing filters from the list above, or by entering your term(s) in the Quick Search box above

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? 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? Not Applicable No pop-ups appeared during resource assessment.
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 Headings = chapters. Where chapters have titles, the chapter titles are also marked.

Menus

Question Answer Notes Images
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options? Always There is no drop-down menu designed for page navigation purposes; drop-downs are for the text's hierarchical structures of parts, chapters, and where applicable, sub-chapters.
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items? Not Applicable As there is no drop-downs on the page, all menu items are made visible.
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? 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? Always
Previous1234Next