Assessment for Criminal Justice Database by Northern - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by splanej@northe… 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: It is more common to have placeholder text and descriptive text labels and occasionally and input fields purpose is contextual only, without a written description. The Create and Account page has the most instructions, the Advanced Search page the least.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: It is more common to have placeholder text and descriptive text labels and occasionally and input fields purpose is contextual only, without a written description.
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Where descriptions are present they are easy to understand.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Where present.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
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:
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Error messages in the Create an Account page are not in chronological order and rely on context to indicate which fields have which errors. It is clear however, when using NVDA.
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Error messages in the Create an Account page are not in chronological order and rely on context to indicate which fields have which errors.
When a user spells a word incorrectly, does the search function offer spelling suggestions or synonyms?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Offers auto-fill drop-down, but no spelling suggestions if you have searched a word spelt incorrectly. May autocorrect to a word similar to the one you miss-spelt, but won't ask for permission first.
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The search button is indicated by a magnifying glass on the results page, a button with the word "search" on the Advanced search page and a button with a magnifying glass on the main search page.
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The search button is indicated by a magnifying glass on the Results Page, a button with the word "search" on the Advanced Search Page and a button with a magnifying glass on the Main Search Page.
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: Instances where it occurs:
Home page: Help link (new tab)
Advanced Search page: Field Codes link (new tab)
Recent Searches page: Learn More, Search Tips (new tab)
Results Page: Get full text (new tab), Times Cited (new tab)
Item Result Page: Times Cited (new tab), Get full text (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: Never
Score: 0
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: 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: Never
Score: 0
Notes: Filters are applied automatically.
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: Criminal Justice Database
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: ProQuest
Institution: Northern
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 It is more common to have placeholder text and descriptive text labels and occasionally and input fields purpose is contextual only, without a written description. The Create and Account page has the most instructions, the Advanced Search page the least.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Sometimes It is more common to have placeholder text and descriptive text labels and occasionally and input fields purpose is contextual only, without a written description.
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand? Sometimes Where descriptions are present they are easy to understand.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field? Sometimes Where present.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? Never
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? Sometimes Error messages in the Create an Account page are not in chronological order and rely on context to indicate which fields have which errors. It is clear however, when using NVDA.
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? Sometimes Error messages in the Create an Account page are not in chronological order and rely on context to indicate which fields have which errors.

Search function spell-check

Question Answer Notes Images
When a user spells a word incorrectly, does the search function offer spelling suggestions or synonyms? Sometimes Offers auto-fill drop-down, but no spelling suggestions if you have searched a word spelt incorrectly. May autocorrect to a word similar to the one you miss-spelt, but won't ask for permission first.

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”. Sometimes The search button is indicated by a magnifying glass on the results page, a button with the word "search" on the Advanced search page and a button with a magnifying glass on the main search page.
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? Sometimes The search button is indicated by a magnifying glass on the Results Page, a button with the word "search" on the Advanced Search Page and a button with a magnifying glass on the Main Search Page.

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 Instances where it occurs: Home page: Help link (new tab) Advanced Search page: Field Codes link (new tab) Recent Searches page: Learn More, Search Tips (new tab) Results Page: Get full text (new tab), Times Cited (new tab) Item Result Page: Times Cited (new tab), Get full text (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? Never
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? 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 Filters are applied automatically.
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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