Assessment for Pharmacy Technician's Letter Canada by Centennial - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by bkahn@centenni… 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:
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: I get form label errors for the general search form, and on some user input fields, but not all user inpute fields. There's a user input box at the bottom of some pages to sign up for push emails. Those fields are all missing form labels.
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: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: I didn't find any coloured form control labels in this resource.
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: Never
Score: 0
Notes: I entered the contact us form and twice made mistakes in the email field - first, I omitted the @ sign, then the second time, I omitted both the @ sign and the . (gmail.com). Both times, the form submitted without issue. The only time I was prompted for a mistake was when I left a mandatory field blank.
Are alert messages clearly visible to the user, either at the top of the form field, inline, or through a dialog box?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: I entered the contact us form and twice made mistakes in the email field - first, I omitted the @ sign, then the second time, I omitted both the @ sign and the . (gmail.com). Both times, the form submitted without issue. The only time I was prompted for a mistake was when I left a mandatory field blank. In that instance, the mandatory field that was skipped was indicated.
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: I entered the contact us form and twice made mistakes in the email field - first, I omitted the @ sign, then the second time, I omitted both the @ sign and the . (gmail.com). Both times, the form submitted without issue. So in that case, you couldn't correct the error.

The only time I was prompted for a mistake was when I left a mandatory field blank. In that instance, the mandatory field that was skipped was indicated. That was easy to correct.
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: When prompted that an error exists - see notes above - you are able to resubmit and re-validate.
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: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: The site doesn't really use icons. Across the top of each article There are icons for Comments, View Printable PDFs and Take the CE Quiz (all options but the pdf one require a separate login that our subscription doesn't include), but they all have the words for the icon right next to the icon. It never relies on the icon alone. The search icon is a magnifying glass with placeholder test "Search" in the search field.
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: The site doesn't really use icons. Across the top of each article There are icons for Comments, View Printable PDFs and Take the CE Quiz (all options but the pdf one require a separate login that our subscription doesn't include), but they all have the words for the icon right next to the icon. It never relies on the icon alone. The search icon is a magnifying glass with placeholder test "Search" in the search field.
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: The search icon is a magnifying glass with placeholder test "Search" in the search field. There is no other indicator of its function.
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: The only exception is the Cookie Notice. That comes up every time you click to a new page. Every time. No matter that you've already clicked Accept All. It still pops up. It's really annoying.
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: No real pop-ups except for the Cookie Notice as mentioned above.
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: Most of the time, yes. There is about one alert per page for heading, but overall, the structure does very well.
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Usually. Flagged for about one alert per page, and that's about it.
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: Never
Score: 0
Notes: With keyboard navigation, you can move to the top-level menus, but when they received focus, you are unable to view the submenus. Hitting the ENTER key just opens the first item in the dropdown list.
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: There isn't an "Update Now" button.
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: Pharmacy Technician's Letter Canada
eResource Type: eJournals
Vendor: Therapeutic Research Center
Institution: Centennial
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? Always
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Sometimes I get form label errors for the general search form, and on some user input fields, but not all user inpute fields. There's a user input box at the bottom of some pages to sign up for push emails. Those fields are all missing form labels.
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? Not Applicable I didn't find any coloured form control labels in this resource.
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. Never I entered the contact us form and twice made mistakes in the email field - first, I omitted the @ sign, then the second time, I omitted both the @ sign and the . (gmail.com). Both times, the form submitted without issue. The only time I was prompted for a mistake was when I left a mandatory field blank.

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? Sometimes I entered the contact us form and twice made mistakes in the email field - first, I omitted the @ sign, then the second time, I omitted both the @ sign and the . (gmail.com). Both times, the form submitted without issue. The only time I was prompted for a mistake was when I left a mandatory field blank. In that instance, the mandatory field that was skipped was indicated.
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? Sometimes I entered the contact us form and twice made mistakes in the email field - first, I omitted the @ sign, then the second time, I omitted both the @ sign and the . (gmail.com). Both times, the form submitted without issue. So in that case, you couldn't correct the error. The only time I was prompted for a mistake was when I left a mandatory field blank. In that instance, the mandatory field that was skipped was indicated. That was easy to correct.
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission? Sometimes When prompted that an error exists - see notes above - you are able to resubmit and re-validate.
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? Not Applicable The site doesn't really use icons. Across the top of each article There are icons for Comments, View Printable PDFs and Take the CE Quiz (all options but the pdf one require a separate login that our subscription doesn't include), but they all have the words for the icon right next to the icon. It never relies on the icon alone. The search icon is a magnifying glass with placeholder test "Search" in the search field.
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type? Not Applicable The site doesn't really use icons. Across the top of each article There are icons for Comments, View Printable PDFs and Take the CE Quiz (all options but the pdf one require a separate login that our subscription doesn't include), but they all have the words for the icon right next to the icon. It never relies on the icon alone. The search icon is a magnifying glass with placeholder test "Search" in the search field.
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 The search icon is a magnifying glass with placeholder test "Search" in the search field. There is no other indicator of its function.

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 The only exception is the Cookie Notice. That comes up every time you click to a new page. Every time. No matter that you've already clicked Accept All. It still pops up. It's really annoying.
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 No real pop-ups except for the Cookie Notice as mentioned above.
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 Most of the time, yes. There is about one alert per page for heading, but overall, the structure does very well.
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading? Sometimes Usually. Flagged for about one alert per page, and that's about it.

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? Never With keyboard navigation, you can move to the top-level menus, but when they received focus, you are unable to view the submenus. Hitting the ENTER key just opens the first item in the dropdown list.

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 There isn't an "Update Now" button.
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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