Assessment for IEEExplore by Algonquin - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by schulzl@algonq… 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: The input fields all have visible instructions that are simple and clear to follow.
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: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
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: There are customized error messages used for when a user imputs incorrect credentials or leaves a portion of the search form empty.
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 user receives an alert message above the input fields stating, 'Username' and 'Password' are required fields.
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: 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: When a misspelled word is entered into the search field, no spelling suggestions or alternative search terms are offered. This applies to both the simple and advanced search options.
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The icons used for each function are universal across the site, and are easy to interprit using only the visual elements.
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: Yes, all icons associated with links are used consistently. Screen readers identify them by first announcing "Link," followed by the specific function—for example, "Link, Forgot Password?"
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: The layout and navigation are consistent throughout the database. The same information and links appear in the header and footer across all pages.
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: Many of the links open a new page within the same window, but for The Featured Journals, Upcomig Conferences, or Featured Ebooks sections open in a new tab.
Does the database avoid launching pop-up windows automatically when the database is loaded?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The only time a pop-up window is used is to promt the user to sign into their account when attempting to access anything in the "my settings" dropdown.
Where pop-ups occur, are users able to postpone or suppress any pop-ups?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Because the only pop-up is for signing into an account the user cannot close the pop-up without being forced to return to the database's home page.
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Links and referenced resources typically open in the current browser window when a user clicks on embedded links. However, links in The News and Updates section, The Featured eBooks section, and The Upcoming Conferences section open in a new tab within the same browser window.
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: 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: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The database uses a consistant "apply" button throughout to activate filters or searches.
Does the database avoid automatic redirection?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The database often avoids automatic redirection. To interact with an item that has received focus, the user must press the Enter key; otherwise, focus remains on the element to allow screen readers to read the associated alt text or heading.
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: IEEExplore
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: IEEE
Institution: Algonquin
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 The input fields all have visible instructions that are simple and clear to follow.
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? Always
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 There are customized error messages used for when a user imputs incorrect credentials or leaves a portion of the search form empty.

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 user receives an alert message above the input fields stating, 'Username' and 'Password' are required fields.
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? 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 When a misspelled word is entered into the search field, no spelling suggestions or alternative search terms are offered. This applies to both the simple and advanced search options.

Functionality of Interactive Elements

Question Answer Notes Images
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site? Always The icons used for each function are universal across the site, and are easy to interprit using only the visual elements.
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 Yes, all icons associated with links are used consistently. Screen readers identify them by first announcing "Link," followed by the specific function—for example, "Link, Forgot Password?"
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 The layout and navigation are consistent throughout the database. The same information and links appear in the header and footer across all pages.
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 Many of the links open a new page within the same window, but for The Featured Journals, Upcomig Conferences, or Featured Ebooks sections open in a new tab.
Does the database avoid launching pop-up windows automatically when the database is loaded? Always The only time a pop-up window is used is to promt the user to sign into their account when attempting to access anything in the "my settings" dropdown.
Where pop-ups occur, are users able to postpone or suppress any pop-ups? Never Because the only pop-up is for signing into an account the user cannot close the pop-up without being forced to return to the database's home page.
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing? Always Links and referenced resources typically open in the current browser window when a user clicks on embedded links. However, links in The News and Updates section, The Featured eBooks section, and The Upcoming Conferences section open in a new tab within the same browser window.

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? 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? Always The database uses a consistant "apply" button throughout to activate filters or searches.
Does the database avoid automatic redirection? Always The database often avoids automatic redirection. To interact with an item that has received focus, the user must press the Enter key; otherwise, focus remains on the element to allow screen readers to read the associated alt text or heading.

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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