Assessment for Small Engine Repair Reference Center 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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The main user input fields are found in the search fields in this database. Although most of the filters have instructions, there is nothing explicit in the actual search fields themselves.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Again, in most cases, field labels exist, but not over the actual search boxes themselves. Also, in the Publications search box, there is no form label but placeholder text instead.
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Usually, accept as noted above.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Usually, accept as noted above.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: No coloured form control labels.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: There are no other visual indicators. The only possible one I noticed was that if you try to click on the search button without entering any text into any of the search boxes, a circle with a line through it comes up, indicating that the search button cannot be clicked.
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable.
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Reversible.
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: The advanced search offers suggestions - check your spelling, clear you filters, etc. The form to sign up for an account reacted to a mistake in my email address by just telling me to try again later. Correcting the email error provided me with an account instantly.
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: The advanced search offers suggestions of where the error may have occurred, the form to sign up for an account offers nothing.
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: Never
Score: 0
Notes: The advanced search offers suggestions of where the error may have occurred, the form to sign up for an account offers nothing.
When a user spells a word incorrectly, does the search function offer spelling suggestions or synonyms?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: No suggestions or synonyms offered.
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: There are options under Search options to "Learn more at EBSCO Connect." These open automatically in a new tab if a user clicks a button.
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: There is no option to postpone or suppress the pop-ups.
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: There is no such 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: Small Engine Repair Reference Center
eResource Type:
Vendor: EBSCO
Institution: Centennial
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 The main user input fields are found in the search fields in this database. Although most of the filters have instructions, there is nothing explicit in the actual search fields themselves. no images
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Sometimes Again, in most cases, field labels exist, but not over the actual search boxes themselves. Also, in the Publications search box, there is no form label but placeholder text instead. no images
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand? Sometimes Usually, accept as noted above. no images
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field? Sometimes Usually, accept as noted above. no images
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? Not Applicable No coloured form control labels. no images
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Not Applicable There are no other visual indicators. The only possible one I noticed was that if you try to click on the search button without entering any text into any of the search boxes, a circle with a line through it comes up, indicating that the search button cannot be clicked. no images

Error Prevention

Question Answer Notes Images
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable. Always Reversible. no images

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 The advanced search offers suggestions - check your spelling, clear you filters, etc. The form to sign up for an account reacted to a mistake in my email address by just telling me to try again later. Correcting the email error provided me with an account instantly. no images
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix? Never The advanced search offers suggestions of where the error may have occurred, the form to sign up for an account offers nothing. no images
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error? Always no images
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission? Always no images
Do error reports follow a logical reading and navigation order? Never The advanced search offers suggestions of where the error may have occurred, the form to sign up for an account offers nothing. no images

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 No suggestions or synonyms offered. no images

Functionality of Interactive Elements

Question Answer Notes Images
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site? Always no images
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type? Always no images
Are actions consistently labelled across the site? For example, the “search” button is always labeled “search”. Always no images
Are icons that have adjacent links consistent? Always no images
Can the purpose of each link be determined from the link text alone? Always no images

Consistent Navigation

Question Answer Notes Images
Does the eresource have a consistent layout and navigation across all pages? Always no images
Are search fields located in the same places throughout the website? Always no images
Do other features occur in the same place throughout the website? Always no images
Are links, buttons, images, and other components that are used repeatedly throughout a website labeled consistently? Always no images

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 There are options under Search options to "Learn more at EBSCO Connect." These open automatically in a new tab if a user clicks a button. no images
Does the database avoid launching pop-up windows automatically when the database is loaded? Always no images
Where pop-ups occur, are users able to postpone or suppress any pop-ups? Never There is no option to postpone or suppress the pop-ups. no images
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing? Always no images

Headers

Question Answer Notes Images
Is page content subdivided hierarchically into appropriate headings and tagged appropriately? Always no images
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading? Always no images

Menus

Question Answer Notes Images
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options? Always no images
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items? Always no images
Can all menus and submenus be accessed with screen readers and via keyboard navigation? Always no images

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 no images
Is there an "update now" button that requests a refresh of content rather than automatically updating the content? Never There is no such button. no images
Does the database avoid automatic redirection? Always no images

Change of Context: Focus

Question Answer Notes Images
Does the form refrain from submitting automatically when a component receives focus? Always no images
Does the database avoid launching new windows when a component receives focus? Always no images
Does the database avoid change of focus when a component receives focus? Always no images
Are you able to tab through a page using keyboard navigation without the keyboard focus moving away from the control? Always no images
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