Table 2.

Form content

1. Is there some form of feedback for every user interaction? [13, 28]  2. Is this feedback noticeable and readable?  3. Is this feedback given within a reasonable amount of time? [29]  4. Does the tool provide informative progress disclosure when filling a form e.g. percentage of completion or time to wait to complete the form? [5, 28]  5. After users complete a task or group of tasks does the feedback indicate that they can proceed to the next task? [13]  6. Are the icons used in the tool concrete and familiar? [13]  7. In the event that shapes are used as a visual cue in the tool, do they match the cultural conventions? [13]  8. Is the language used in the form clear, effective and appropriate for the target users? [14, 28]  9. Is only and all information essential to decision making displayed on the screen? [13, 28]  10. Is colour coding used for clarity where appropriate? [28]  11. Do the selected colours used in the form correspond to common expectations about colour codes? [13]  12. Is the number of colours limited to 3–4? [28]  13. Are different presentations adopted for each of the headings, subheadings and instructions?  14. Do the information elements e.g. images and labels stand out from the form background? [5]  15. Are there visual differences between interaction objects (e.g., buttons) and information objects (e.g., labels, images) [5]  16. Can the questionnaire be broken down into sections?  17. Can each section have a section name with a small introduction?  18. Are the rows and columns of a table designed to be clear and understandable by the users?  19. If the form has multipage data entry screens, do all pages have the same title? [13, 28]  20. Do help instructions appear in a consistent location across all the form screens? [13]  21. Is there a consistent icon design scheme and stylistic treatment across the form? [5, 13]  22. Is there consistent location of the menu across the form? [5]  23. Is all the information users enter into the data forms validated and users informed if it is not in an acceptable format? [28]  24. Are all abbreviated words of the same length? [13]  25. Is the format of a data entry value for similar data types consistent from screen to screen of a given form? [13]  26. Is the design on the input type e.g. text box or drop down consistent across the form? [5]  27. Do data entry screens and dialog boxes indicate when fields are optional? [13]  28. Are the mandatory or required data entry fields clearly marked? [5, 28]  29. Is the length of the page controlled? E.g. by limiting the number of questions on the page [13, 28]  30. Has the skip logic been automated?  31. Are the help instructions visually distinct and accessible? [13, 28]  32. If menu items are ambiguous, does the tool provide additional explanatory information when an item is selected? [13]  33. Is the help function visible; for example, a key labelled HELP or a special menu? [13, 14]  34. Can users easily switch between help and their work? [13, 28]  35. Can users resume work where they left off after accessing help? [13, 28]