Assessment for ProQuest One Business 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: Every field is labeled to indicate the required information and form rules.
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: At the beginning of each form, the word "Required" is displayed in bold red text, followed by a red asterisk. This indicates that certain fields are mandatory and clearly marks them as such.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The database uses a red coloured asterisk to indicate required fields or check boxes for all forms.
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable.
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: When creating an account, a dialog box appears above the form indicating which fields have been left blank or completed incorrectly. The dialog box also identifies any required checkboxes that were not selected.
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 messages for inputting incorrect data appear in a dialog box at the top of the form. The messages list any missing information or required checkboxes that were not selected in order to create a user account.
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: When an invalid email address is entered or the password fields contain an incorrect number of characters, the dialog box updates to indicate the specific error and the values that need to be corrected.
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: When a field is completed incorrectly or left blank, the database automatically places the cursor at the beginning of that field (or at the first field in the list if multiple errors are detected).
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: The error dialog box lists errors in the same order that the corresponding fields appear on the form, ensuring a logical reading and navigation sequence.
When a user spells a word incorrectly, does the search function offer spelling suggestions or synonyms?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The database flags misspelled words in the search bar by underlining them in red and automatically displays results for the correct spelling. However, it does not explicitly indicate that it is doing so, nor does it prompt the user to confirm whether they would prefer to search for the original term they entered.
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: Always
Score: 2
Notes: There is always an exit button in the top righthand corner that can be tabbed too in every popup that is used by the database.
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Links on the homepage and other pages open in the same browser window without launching a new tab or triggering pop-up windows.
Is page content subdivided hierarchically into appropriate headings and tagged appropriately?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The webpage alternates between using H2 and H3 headings throughout. While this structure is not entirely consistent, it generally aligns visually with the content layout and maintains a reasonable hierarchy.
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Although the heading levels alternate between H2 and H3, the font and style used to differentiate them are consistent across all database pages, and they generally reflect the content that follows.
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The database homepage features only one drop-down menu, and many of the links within this menu are also available elsewhere on the page, ensuring a reasonable number of navigation items and options.
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The Drop-Down menu contains 14 options. All items listed under the header "ProQuest One Business" are also available elsewhere on the homepage, providing alternative access points.
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: When filters are selected from the options on the left-hand side, the search results update automatically after each selection. There is no "Update Now" button to manually refresh the content.
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: In order to submit any completed forms the user must selected the "submit" button using the mouse or "enter" on the keyboard if that portion has focus, regardless of how long the focus stays on the submit button.
Does the database avoid launching new windows when a component receives focus?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Similar to other forms on the webpage, resources do not open automatically when a component receives focus. Users must either right-click to open the resource in a new tab or use keyboard commands; otherwise, the resource opens in the current tab.
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: ProQuest One Business
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: ProQuest
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 Every field is labeled to indicate the required information and form rules.
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 At the beginning of each form, the word "Required" is displayed in bold red text, followed by a red asterisk. This indicates that certain fields are mandatory and clearly marks them as such.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Always The database uses a red coloured asterisk to indicate required fields or check boxes for all forms.

Error Prevention

Question Answer Notes Images
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable. Always When creating an account, a dialog box appears above the form indicating which fields have been left blank or completed incorrectly. The dialog box also identifies any required checkboxes that were not selected.

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 messages for inputting incorrect data appear in a dialog box at the top of the form. The messages list any missing information or required checkboxes that were not selected in order to create a user account.
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix? Always When an invalid email address is entered or the password fields contain an incorrect number of characters, the dialog box updates to indicate the specific error and the values that need to be corrected.
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error? Always When a field is completed incorrectly or left blank, the database automatically places the cursor at the beginning of that field (or at the first field in the list if multiple errors are detected).
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 The error dialog box lists errors in the same order that the corresponding fields appear on the form, ensuring a logical reading and navigation sequence.

Search function spell-check

Question Answer Notes Images
When a user spells a word incorrectly, does the search function offer spelling suggestions or synonyms? Always The database flags misspelled words in the search bar by underlining them in red and automatically displays results for the correct spelling. However, it does not explicitly indicate that it is doing so, nor does it prompt the user to confirm whether they would prefer to search for the original term they entered.

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? Always There is always an exit button in the top righthand corner that can be tabbed too in every popup that is used by the database.
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing? Always Links on the homepage and other pages open in the same browser window without launching a new tab or triggering pop-up windows.

Headers

Question Answer Notes Images
Is page content subdivided hierarchically into appropriate headings and tagged appropriately? Sometimes The webpage alternates between using H2 and H3 headings throughout. While this structure is not entirely consistent, it generally aligns visually with the content layout and maintains a reasonable hierarchy.
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading? Always Although the heading levels alternate between H2 and H3, the font and style used to differentiate them are consistent across all database pages, and they generally reflect the content that follows.

Menus

Question Answer Notes Images
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options? Always The database homepage features only one drop-down menu, and many of the links within this menu are also available elsewhere on the page, ensuring a reasonable number of navigation items and options.
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items? Always The Drop-Down menu contains 14 options. All items listed under the header "ProQuest One Business" are also available elsewhere on the homepage, providing alternative access points.
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 When filters are selected from the options on the left-hand side, the search results update automatically after each selection. There is no "Update Now" button to manually refresh the content.
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 In order to submit any completed forms the user must selected the "submit" button using the mouse or "enter" on the keyboard if that portion has focus, regardless of how long the focus stays on the submit button.
Does the database avoid launching new windows when a component receives focus? Always Similar to other forms on the webpage, resources do not open automatically when a component receives focus. Users must either right-click to open the resource in a new tab or use keyboard commands; otherwise, the resource opens in the current tab.
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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