Assessment for Sage Premier Journals by Lambton - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by Rebecca.Pearso… 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: There is always placeholder text instructions but clear instructions outside of placeholder text only occurs on certain pages, including off to the side of the advanced search page which visually is out of the way even when looking for it.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Form labels are occasionally used correctly. Drop-down boxes, and check boxes are more correctly labelled to standard than open ended form boxes.
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: This answer includes the information found in placeholder text because sometimes that is the only place a description is found. In those cases, the placeholder text is easy to understand. Occasionally the description comes in the form of a '+' or magnifying glass, the symbols so commonly mean add or search respectively that they were counted as clear instructions.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Anywhere placeholder text is not used, labels are consistently placed above input fields and spacing makes it clear what the label is associated with. Where placeholder text is used there is rarely labels above the input field.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Overall the resource uses text cues more frequently than coloured cues and does not fail to use text in the used sample.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: This is based on the sample used and cannot be guaranteed for the who resource.
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable.
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The resource seems to use some combination of Reversible and/or Checked
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: Most messages appeared after there was an attempt at submitting the form, although occasional form fields would alert in real time, such as password requirements while creating a new 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: This was a visual cue. Screen readers did not catch them in combination with keyboard navigation, although for certain screen resolutions you could hover over the visual alert with the mouse to have the screen reader read it out.
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Even though alerts were after submission in most cases. Fields with errors were just as easy to edit as to input the original information.
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Would advise further exploration of login attempts. However other forms seemed to work until required fields and formats were met.
Do error reports follow a logical reading and navigation order?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The error reports were not always part of keyboard navigation, but they did have a logical reading order.
When a user spells a word incorrectly, does the search function offer spelling suggestions or synonyms?
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: The search function does check spelling and indicates when an error has occurred through the common red underline but not suggestions or synonyms are offered. However, it does search the database based off likely corrections if the incorrect spelling is submitted.
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Based off of the sample used.
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The resource uses consistent language and icons within the sample examined.
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: Assuming that users are familiar enough with databases to know a linked title will link to the the article's record, all links in the sample describe purpose in text alone.
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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The is only exceptions to where search fields are located on the home and help pages found in the sample.
Do other features occur in the same place throughout the website?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Help page is the only exception within the sample.
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: Most of the main functions do not open a new tab but there are features that open a new tab only a few of those are marked with a symbol indicating it will happen.
Does the database avoid launching pop-up windows automatically when the database is loaded?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: In the sample taken there were no examples of launching pop-ups.
Where pop-ups occur, are users able to postpone or suppress any pop-ups?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: A user can close any pop-up window found in the sample to be opened later by selecting the same link. This always occurs after the popup is already on the screen.
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: Either the visual organization regarding nested headings is poor or occasionally the website will have a heading 3 not nested in a heading 2 but directly nested in the heading 1. Headings are used but sometimes in a not obviously organized manor.
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Although the structure of headings is sometimes difficult to follow, the eresource does use headings that are concise and clear for the content it represents.
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Reasonable is a subjective evaluator but not every menu item is a drop down box and as a visual user it is not overwhelming.
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Some drop downs, especially for searching years or journals by name, contain an unreasonable number of menu items to sort through.
Can all menus and submenus be accessed with screen readers and via keyboard navigation?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Within testing sample 'always' is true.
Does the “results” page or item record view avoid opening in a new tab without a warning?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: These pages will only do an action, such as opening a new tab, if the user hits enter. However, the action of opening a new tab has inconsistent warning in this eresource.
Is there an "update now" button that requests a refresh of content rather than automatically updating the content?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: The refining tools in search results has some features that will update the search results automatically (Moving the date range toggle).
Does the database avoid automatic redirection?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: A user could accidentally use a tool to refine their search and (on a fast internet connection where the new results load quickly) not notice they have changed their results.
Does the form refrain from submitting automatically when a component receives focus?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: In a form with a submit function, focus on any component including the submit button does not trigger an action.
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: Even when drop-down navigation opens, the focus still stays on the original menu item until the user moves the focus.
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: Please review. Unsure of meaning.
eResource: Sage Premier Journals
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: SAGE
Institution: Lambton
Score: A-

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 There is always placeholder text instructions but clear instructions outside of placeholder text only occurs on certain pages, including off to the side of the advanced search page which visually is out of the way even when looking for it.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Sometimes Form labels are occasionally used correctly. Drop-down boxes, and check boxes are more correctly labelled to standard than open ended form boxes.
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand? Always This answer includes the information found in placeholder text because sometimes that is the only place a description is found. In those cases, the placeholder text is easy to understand. Occasionally the description comes in the form of a '+' or magnifying glass, the symbols so commonly mean add or search respectively that they were counted as clear instructions.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field? Sometimes Anywhere placeholder text is not used, labels are consistently placed above input fields and spacing makes it clear what the label is associated with. Where placeholder text is used there is rarely labels above the input field.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? Always Overall the resource uses text cues more frequently than coloured cues and does not fail to use text in the used sample.
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Always This is based on the sample used and cannot be guaranteed for the who resource.

Error Prevention

Question Answer Notes Images
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable. Always The resource seems to use some combination of Reversible and/or Checked

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 Most messages appeared after there was an attempt at submitting the form, although occasional form fields would alert in real time, such as password requirements while creating a new account.
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix? Always This was a visual cue. Screen readers did not catch them in combination with keyboard navigation, although for certain screen resolutions you could hover over the visual alert with the mouse to have the screen reader read it out.
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error? Always Even though alerts were after submission in most cases. Fields with errors were just as easy to edit as to input the original information.
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission? Always Would advise further exploration of login attempts. However other forms seemed to work until required fields and formats were met.
Do error reports follow a logical reading and navigation order? Sometimes The error reports were not always part of keyboard navigation, but they did have a logical reading order.

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 The search function does check spelling and indicates when an error has occurred through the common red underline but not suggestions or synonyms are offered. However, it does search the database based off likely corrections if the incorrect spelling is submitted.

Functionality of Interactive Elements

Question Answer Notes Images
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site? Always Based off of the sample used.
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type? Always The resource uses consistent language and icons within the sample examined.
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 Assuming that users are familiar enough with databases to know a linked title will link to the the article's record, all links in the sample describe purpose in text alone.

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? Sometimes The is only exceptions to where search fields are located on the home and help pages found in the sample.
Do other features occur in the same place throughout the website? Sometimes Help page is the only exception within the sample.
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 Most of the main functions do not open a new tab but there are features that open a new tab only a few of those are marked with a symbol indicating it will happen.
Does the database avoid launching pop-up windows automatically when the database is loaded? Always In the sample taken there were no examples of launching pop-ups.
Where pop-ups occur, are users able to postpone or suppress any pop-ups? Sometimes A user can close any pop-up window found in the sample to be opened later by selecting the same link. This always occurs after the popup is already on the screen.
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 Either the visual organization regarding nested headings is poor or occasionally the website will have a heading 3 not nested in a heading 2 but directly nested in the heading 1. Headings are used but sometimes in a not obviously organized manor.
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading? Always Although the structure of headings is sometimes difficult to follow, the eresource does use headings that are concise and clear for the content it represents.

Menus

Question Answer Notes Images
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options? Always Reasonable is a subjective evaluator but not every menu item is a drop down box and as a visual user it is not overwhelming.
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items? Sometimes Some drop downs, especially for searching years or journals by name, contain an unreasonable number of menu items to sort through.
Can all menus and submenus be accessed with screen readers and via keyboard navigation? Always Within testing sample 'always' is true.

Change of context

Question Answer Notes Images
Does the “results” page or item record view avoid opening in a new tab without a warning? Sometimes These pages will only do an action, such as opening a new tab, if the user hits enter. However, the action of opening a new tab has inconsistent warning in this eresource.
Is there an "update now" button that requests a refresh of content rather than automatically updating the content? Sometimes The refining tools in search results has some features that will update the search results automatically (Moving the date range toggle).
Does the database avoid automatic redirection? Sometimes A user could accidentally use a tool to refine their search and (on a fast internet connection where the new results load quickly) not notice they have changed their results.

Change of Context: Focus

Question Answer Notes Images
Does the form refrain from submitting automatically when a component receives focus? Always In a form with a submit function, focus on any component including the submit button does not trigger an action.
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 Even when drop-down navigation opens, the focus still stays on the original menu item until the user moves the focus.
Are you able to tab through a page using keyboard navigation without the keyboard focus moving away from the control? Always Please review. Unsure of meaning.
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