Assessment for Sage Premier Journals by Durham - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by trish.johns-wi… 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: Many of the user input fields use placeholder text rather than instructions outside of the input area.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Some user input fields have proper labels but others are missing that information.
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The descriptions that are present are easy to understand.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The labels that are present are clearly associated with their respective fields.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: For example, text cues are indicated with a red asterisk (both marked with a specific symbol as well as a colour).
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
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: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The alert messages appeared with the incorrect field so are easy to identify.
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: Misspelled words are underlined in red in the search box but no alternate spelling suggestions are offered. A message appears saying 'your search did not retrieve any results'.
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: The exact location isn't the same between the home screen and the other screens, but the search field is always at the top of the screen.
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: The majority of pages open in the same tab, but a few (such as Frequently Asked Questions) do open in a new 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: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Skipped a heading level on the Advanced Search page and an empty heading on the Results page
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: A few of the drop-down menus have a sizable list of items (such as the 'Select year' option on the Advanced Search page) but not unreasonably so.
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: One page found that opens in a new tab without warning: the Frequently Asked Questions page.
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. Instead, using the limiting filters (eg. date range, article type, etc) automatically updates the results list.
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: Sage Premier Journals
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: SAGE
Institution: Durham
Score: A

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 Many of the user input fields use placeholder text rather than instructions outside of the input area.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Sometimes Some user input fields have proper labels but others are missing that information.
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand? Always The descriptions that are present are easy to understand.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field? Always The labels that are present are clearly associated with their respective fields.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? Always For example, text cues are indicated with a red asterisk (both marked with a specific symbol as well as a colour).
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Always

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? Always The alert messages appeared with the incorrect field so are easy to identify.
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 Misspelled words are underlined in red in the search box but no alternate spelling suggestions are offered. A message appears saying 'your search did not retrieve any results'.

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 The exact location isn't the same between the home screen and the other screens, but the search field is always at the top of the screen.
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 The majority of pages open in the same tab, but a few (such as Frequently Asked Questions) do open in a new 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? Always
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? Sometimes Skipped a heading level on the Advanced Search page and an empty heading on the Results page
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 A few of the drop-down menus have a sizable list of items (such as the 'Select year' option on the Advanced Search page) but not unreasonably so.
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? Sometimes One page found that opens in a new tab without warning: the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Is there an "update now" button that requests a refresh of content rather than automatically updating the content? Never No Update Now button. Instead, using the limiting filters (eg. date range, article type, etc) automatically updates the results list.
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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