EXE3. Difficulty returning to a previous page

Definition

A situation that arises from difficulty returning to a previous location or page within a DL (text with tooltip) The acronym for digital library (DL).  due to lack of or inadequate features supporting such actions.

Factors Leading to the Situation

  • Inadequate support: unclear navigation for previously visited pages

Guidelines

  1. Ensure clear and descriptive feature labels that support returning to a previous location or page.

Rationale for Suggesting the above Guidelines

During the search process, 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 often encounter situations where they need to go back and revisit previous pages. In these cases, having a back button in an easily accessible location is vital for an efficient search process. In the mobile environment, the availability and location of the back and forward buttons may vary or be unavailable depending on devices, browsers, and user settings. Therefore, having buttons that are clearly labeled directly on the DL page can help BVI users go back to previous pages.

Techniques and Methods to Comply with a Specific Design Guideline

1.1. Provide an easily accessible “Back” button after executing a search or entering into a collection.
1.2. Place a clearly labeled “Back,” “Previous,” or “Return” button in a consistent location within a page.
1.3. Offer voice command support to return to the previous location or page.

Features Suggested for Users

1.1.1./1.2.1. Back/Return button (See example 1.1.1.a1. and 1.1.1.a2.)
1.3.1. Voice commands

Examples of Best Practice

1.1.1.a1. Providing an accessible “Back” or “Return” button

After executing a search or selecting an item, the DLs provide options such as “Catalog Home,” “Back,” and a “Return to list” button, allowing users to return to the previous location or page (EXE3 Figure a1).

A digital library with back buttons. "Catalog Home'" at the top left returns to the main page, and "Back"' below returns to the previous page."
EXE3 Figure a1. An example of navigation options with clear labels

1.1.1.a2. Providing an accessible “Return to list” button

The DL in EXE 3 Figure a2 provides a clearly labeled “Return to list” button on the top of the page displaying individual search results, allowing users to efficiently go back to the list of all search results. Incorporation of such buttons improves users’ navigation in the DLs.

A digital library with a "Return to list" button at the top of the page to easily go back to the previous list of search results or items.
EXE3 Figure a2. An example of navigating to the previous page with clear labels

Examples of Poor Practice

1.1.1.b1. Difficulty returning to a previous page

According to EXE3 Figure b1, there were three buttons at the bottom of the mobile DL page on an Android phone. However, hitting the “Back” button would close the browser, and the participant faced a challenge finding a “Back” button in the DL to return to a previous page after performing a search. To deal with this issue, the participant checked the search history by scanning ‘Last visited today.’

“So the problem with Android phones is you really find it hard to find a dedicated back or forward button when you are in the browser. So if I do back so at the bottom of the screen, there are three buttons, right? One for recent the middle one is home and the other one is back. If I hit that, what’s going to happen is it’s going to close the browser and I don’t want that to happen, so I’m trying to find a back button within the browser.” (AP14-OL)

The image shows the challenge of finding a back button in a digital library. Using the mobile or browser back button may close the page

EXE3 Figure b1. Screenshot of difficulty returning to a previous page

1.1.1.b2. Difficulty returning to a previous page

EXE3 Figure b2 shows a list of view options provided in a mobile DL. However, there is no “Close” or “Back” button to get out of these view options once 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 activate the feature, making it difficult to go back to the page without the pop-up view options.

“Another tool bar. I didn’t wanna do that. Ah. I’m trying to get out of here. … Any and I see a choice between a list and a grid.” (AP13-LO)

This image demonstrates the absence of a back button or navigation cues on a list.

EXE3 Figure b2. Screenshot of difficulty returning to a previous page

Resources

See also: