Assessment for Common Craft by Georgian - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by Shaun.MacNeil@… 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: Each field has a title that tells the user what needs to be entered. User input fields are the search bar, and a contact form. The search bar has placeholder text that provides instructions but disappears when the user enters any information. The user contact form is clear with what information is required for each input field.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The search bar is missing an form label but the contact us form, has a label for each user input field. Subscribing to their newsletter does not have labels either.
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: For the search field and email registration, the only instructions are placeholder text.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Not all user input fields have labels, those that do have labels placed above and are clearly associated with each field.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: subscribing to their newsletter and promotions have required fields but do not have any noticeable coloured cue to inform the user that they are required, until the submit button is selected.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: subscribing to their newsletter and promotions have required fields but do not have any noticeable cues to inform the user that they are required, until the submit button is selected.
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable.
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The contact us form, does not check to confirm information, once the sent button is clicked, the information is sent with no way of correcting information. The email subscription form does confirm that the user has entered an email address, it alerts the user and lets them fix the error.
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: The email subscription box does alert the user and clearly informs they of the error when they do not enter a valid email address into the input field. Informing them that a valid email address requires an @ symbol.
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: The alert message appears under the box with an error showing the box where the error occured.
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Most of the forms do not have error checking or error validation. The one that does, allows users to resubmit and revalidate their form.
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:
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: Navigation is always at the top of the page.
Are search fields located in the same places throughout the website?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Search field is consistently located at the top center of the page.
Do other features occur in the same place throughout the website?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Help pages and contact information is always located in the same area, in the footer of every page and in the navigation at the top of the page.
Are links, buttons, images, and other components that are used repeatedly throughout a website labeled consistently?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Links and buttons are labeled consistently throughout the website.
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: Database does not use pop-ups
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: Website does not launch new browser windows
Is page content subdivided hierarchically into appropriate headings and tagged appropriately?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Headings for the most part are structed correctly, there are a few headings levels that are skipped, jumping from a H2 heading to a H4 heading.
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: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: No menus or navigation drop downs
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: No menus or navigation drop downs
Can all menus and submenus be accessed with screen readers and via keyboard navigation?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: No menus or navigation drop downs
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: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: Content is in a list, searches do not have filters
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: Common Craft
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: Other
Institution: Georgian
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 sometimes 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? Sometimes Each field has a title that tells the user what needs to be entered. User input fields are the search bar, and a contact form. The search bar has placeholder text that provides instructions but disappears when the user enters any information. The user contact form is clear with what information is required for each input field.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Sometimes The search bar is missing an form label but the contact us form, has a label for each user input field. Subscribing to their newsletter does not have labels either.
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand? Sometimes For the search field and email registration, the only instructions are placeholder text.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field? Sometimes Not all user input fields have labels, those that do have labels placed above and are clearly associated with each field.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? Never subscribing to their newsletter and promotions have required fields but do not have any noticeable coloured cue to inform the user that they are required, until the submit button is selected.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Never subscribing to their newsletter and promotions have required fields but do not have any noticeable cues to inform the user that they are required, until the submit button is selected.

Error Prevention

Question Answer Notes Images
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable. Sometimes The contact us form, does not check to confirm information, once the sent button is clicked, the information is sent with no way of correcting information. The email subscription form does confirm that the user has entered an email address, it alerts the user and lets them fix the error.

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 The email subscription box does alert the user and clearly informs they of the error when they do not enter a valid email address into the input field. Informing them that a valid email address requires an @ symbol.
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix? Always The alert message appears under the box with an error showing the box where the error occured.
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? Sometimes Most of the forms do not have error checking or error validation. The one that does, allows users to resubmit and revalidate their form.
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

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 Navigation is always at the top of the page.
Are search fields located in the same places throughout the website? Always Search field is consistently located at the top center of the page.
Do other features occur in the same place throughout the website? Always Help pages and contact information is always located in the same area, in the footer of every page and in the navigation at the top of the page.
Are links, buttons, images, and other components that are used repeatedly throughout a website labeled consistently? Always Links and buttons are labeled consistently throughout the website.

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 Database does not use pop-ups
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing? Not Applicable Website does not launch new browser windows

Headers

Question Answer Notes Images
Is page content subdivided hierarchically into appropriate headings and tagged appropriately? Sometimes Headings for the most part are structed correctly, there are a few headings levels that are skipped, jumping from a H2 heading to a H4 heading.
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? Not Applicable No menus or navigation drop downs
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items? Not Applicable No menus or navigation drop downs
Can all menus and submenus be accessed with screen readers and via keyboard navigation? Not Applicable No menus or navigation drop downs

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? Not Applicable Content is in a list, searches do not have filters
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
Previous1234Next