COM2/NAV1. Difficulty understanding/navigating the search filtering structure

Definition

A situation that arises from difficulty understanding or navigating search filtering options due to the complex structure and excessive number of filter options.

Factors Leading to the Situation

  • Complex information presentation: excessive information or features
  • Inadequate features/functions: complex feature design
  • Inadequate help information: insufficient contextual help

Guidelines

  1. Ensure that filtering options are organized by categories in a logical order.
  2. Ensure that filtering option categories can be flexibly and concisely presented.
  3. Ensure a specific filter option can be reached efficiently.

Rationale for Suggesting the above Guidelines

BVI (text with tooltip) The acronym for Blind and Visually Impaired. It refers to BVI users who rely on screen readers to interact with digital libraries (DLs). users may find it difficult to navigate or understand the search filtering structure in DLs due to the complex structure and overwhelming number of filtering options. To avoid overwhelming BVI users with excessive filter options, it is critical to categorize filter options logically and present them flexibly and concisely. The suggested guidelines enable BVI users to better understand the structure of filter options and to navigate them flexibly and efficiently.

Techniques and Methods to Comply with a Specific Design Guideline

1.1. Categorize related filters by specific criteria (e.g., subject, date, or format).
1.2. Use aria-labels (text with tooltip) An HTML attribute that provides a text label for an object, such as a button.  to describe filter categories.
2.1. Implement an expand/collapse faceted search (text with tooltip) A search technique that allows users to narrow their results set using filters based on the attributes of items.  functionality and collapsed categories by default
3.1. Implement “skip-to” features to allow skipping less relevant filter categories.

Features Suggested for Users

1.1.1. Filter categories (See example 1.1.1.a1./2.1.1.a1. and 1.1.1.a2./2.1.1.a2.)
1.2.1. Filter categories description
2.1.1. “Expand/Collapse faceted search (text with tooltip) A search technique that allows users to narrow their results set using filters based on the attributes of items. ” (See example 1.1.1.a1./2.1.1.a1. and 1.1.1.a2./2.1.1.a2.)
3.1.1. “Skip-to” (See example 3.1.1.a.)

Examples of Best Practice

1.1.1.a1./2.1.1.a1. Expand/Collapse faceted search filters

Faceted search (text with tooltip) A search technique that allows users to narrow their results set using filters based on the attributes of items. allows users to narrow their search results by applying multiple filters simultaneously. In COM2/NAV1 Figure a1, instead of displaying all filtering options, faceted search presents a list of suggested filters based on users’ queries. Users can then select relevant facets to refine their search results.

Detailed faceted search filter interface where users can refine their search results by applying multiple filters.
COM2/NAV1 Figure a1. An example of collapsed faceted search filters

1.1.1.a2./2.1.1.a2. Expand/Collapse faceted search filters

Making faceted search filters collapsable allows users to select one facet, expand it, and choose needed filter options. Therefore, in COM2/NAV1 Figure a2, users will not be overwhelmed by the potential large number of all filter options. Users only need to use specific facets and choose relevant filter options.

A faceted search interface with a 'REFINE' menu on the left for filters, each with a plus sign (+) to expand and show more options shown on the right
COM2/NAV1 Figure a2. An example of collapsed faceted search filters

3.1.1.a. “Skip-to”

In COM2/NAV1 Figure a3, “skip to the collection type section” in advanced search allow users to move to specific section.

A search interface with a skip-to-search-feature which reads, "This is the Classification filters section. Skip to the Collection Type section."
COM2/NAV1 Figure a3. An example of “Skip-to” function within advanced search feature

Examples of Poor Practice

1.1.1.b1. Difficulty understanding/navigating the search filter structure

The COM2/NAV1 Figure b1 illustrates the various options for search filters available for participants. However, the participant expressed frustration over the complexity of filter options and structure for efficient use of the DL.

“This is tricky. It’s really hard to tell. You know, it takes a lot of time to understand this database. It’s not intuitive. That’s what I’m inferring. … but I am a graduate student… I really hate the library database. It’s not intuitive, so this is I think this is an issue with, you know, the way it’s designed, the searches are designed.” (AP14-OL)

An image of a poor hierarchical structure of the search filter aspects and options.

COM2/NAV1 Figure b1. Screenshot of difficulty understanding/navigating the search filter structure

Resources

See also: