Interface Critique

INLS 62

Select a website of interest. For this website, state the degree to which the website meets the following guidelines (adapted from the NCI’s ‘Research-based web design & usability guidelines.’).

1. User experience

Site goals clearly stated

Provides help/clear instructions

Provides printer friendly options

No unsolicited windows or graphics

Allows users to perform tasks in the same sequence across similar conditions (e.g., date entry)

Page loading time is acceptable

Works with common browsers (check IE and at least one other of your choice)

2. Organization and Content

Information is clearly organized

Puts most important information near the top of page

Displays related items in lists

Lists formatted to assist scanning (e.g., ordering, justification)

Includes logos and other branding

Defines acronyms and abbreviations

Uses familiar words

Uses clear category labels

Uses clear and descriptive headings

3. Page Layout

Has appropriate page lengths

Uses appropriate color schemes

Uses easily readable text on high-contrast background

Limits large images above the fold

Shows all major options on the home page

Does not require horizontal scrolling

4. Links and Lists

Has navigational options on each page

Uses clear button labels

Provides clear and consistent clikability cues

Shows used links (e.g., changes color)

Provides access to home page from other pages

5. Accessibility

Provides text-equivalents for non-text elements

Provides text for all links

6. Search and data entry

Provides search option on each page

Allows simple and advanced search

Search is not case-sensitive

Minimizes user data entry

Distinguishes required and optional data entry fields

Uses clear labels close to data entry fields