Assessment for Rehabilitation Reference Center by Mohawk - Module 2: Interface Navigation

Submitted by matthew.cassid… 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: I thought the instructions were there, but only generally in the form of single word commands.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Again I would say from a subjective point of view, I think they are easy to understand.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Although the label is placed to the left of the input field.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes:
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes:
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable.
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Keyword inputs that were incorrectly input, we're kept in the search box above the list or results (or return of 0 results in the case of my testing) and so you are able to edit the keywords submitted, without losing them.
There is also a search history page, which features an option to revise searches, though it requires a few clicks.
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: Always
Score: 2
Notes: When failing to enter an email address in creating an account for this resource, was given the following warning: "Please provide an email address." underneath the email address field. Same with an invalid password. Note they did not clearly detail what the issue was, only how to remedy it.
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Able to tab between fields and they are well-spaced. I personally found it easy to navigate.
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: Unable to assess this properly on account of already having an account associated with the host of this eresource. I would assume it would require an email activation??
Do error reports follow a logical reading and navigation order?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: *Note that these and the above questions relating to Error Reports are using an external sign-in windows, provided by the host of this eresource, nothing within the resource itself* I believe that the reading order was somewhat misaligned as the error message came beneath the field in question.
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: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes:
Are actions consistently labelled across the site? For example, the “search” button is always labeled “search”.
Answer: Never
Score: 0
Notes: The site switches back and forth between Search and Browse.
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: Given that this is a resource with a fairly limited scope, in terms of it's offerings and available collection, I would say that the pages are generally all organized in a similar way with similar navigation tools shared for different pages. Some offer certain additional tools and links, but they are all capable of being navigated in a consistent manner.
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 a few consistent features that lead to a pop-up in new tab or a pop-up in new window, but for the most part most links populate in the same browser window/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: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Though it seems as though some of the heading tags are hidden? Some pages had no coded hierarchical structure.
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: On some pages, H1 seems to link to an encyclopedia? Which is not even visible on the webpage.
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: Again, from my perspective, I would think anything under ten items to be appropriate. No menu that I came across had more than ten items in a drop down menu.
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:
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: Rehabilitation Reference Center
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: EBSCO
Institution: Mohawk
Score: B+

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 I thought the instructions were there, but only generally in the form of single word commands.
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? Always
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand? Sometimes Again I would say from a subjective point of view, I think they are easy to understand.
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field? Always Although the label is placed to the left of the input field.
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? Not Applicable
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? Not Applicable

Error Prevention

Question Answer Notes Images
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable. Always Keyword inputs that were incorrectly input, we're kept in the search box above the list or results (or return of 0 results in the case of my testing) and so you are able to edit the keywords submitted, without losing them. There is also a search history page, which features an option to revise searches, though it requires a few clicks.

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? Always When failing to enter an email address in creating an account for this resource, was given the following warning: "Please provide an email address." underneath the email address field. Same with an invalid password. Note they did not clearly detail what the issue was, only how to remedy it.
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error? Always Able to tab between fields and they are well-spaced. I personally found it easy to navigate.
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission? Not Applicable Unable to assess this properly on account of already having an account associated with the host of this eresource. I would assume it would require an email activation??
Do error reports follow a logical reading and navigation order? Sometimes *Note that these and the above questions relating to Error Reports are using an external sign-in windows, provided by the host of this eresource, nothing within the resource itself* I believe that the reading order was somewhat misaligned as the error message came beneath the field in question.

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? Always
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type? Not Applicable
Are actions consistently labelled across the site? For example, the “search” button is always labeled “search”. Never The site switches back and forth between Search and Browse.
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 Given that this is a resource with a fairly limited scope, in terms of it's offerings and available collection, I would say that the pages are generally all organized in a similar way with similar navigation tools shared for different pages. Some offer certain additional tools and links, but they are all capable of being navigated in a consistent manner.
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? Sometimes There are a few consistent features that lead to a pop-up in new tab or a pop-up in new window, but for the most part most links populate in the same browser window/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? Sometimes Though it seems as though some of the heading tags are hidden? Some pages had no coded hierarchical structure.
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading? Sometimes On some pages, H1 seems to link to an encyclopedia? Which is not even visible on the webpage.

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 Again, from my perspective, I would think anything under ten items to be appropriate. No menu that I came across had more than ten items in a drop down menu.
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
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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