Data collection user interfaces

Data collection user interfaces

1. Ease of use - An easy to use interface helps to reduce training needs, increases adoption of a system and helps prevent errors. It should have:

   • Easy navigation
   • Good labeling
   • Simple input options

2. Accessibility - the user interface should be accessible to people with disabilities. Ways to do this include:

   • Clear and simple interface
   • Navigation can be done with a keyboard
   • High contrast colour scheme
   • Non-colour cues used
   • Support changing of font size, etc.

3. Error reduction - the user interface should help to reduce the number of errors made when entering data. This can be done through:

   • Easy to use interface
   • Implement validation/verification checks
   • Input masks
   • Clear warning messages

4. Intuitiveness - A user interface should be understood and used without significant training. This can be achieved through:

   • Easy-to-use interface
   • Match the paper based forms
   • Match the interface of previous systems

5. Functionality - the interface should allow certain actions to be performed (such as specific queries) The interface should be:

   • Clear as to how to perform certain functionality.
   • Results should be presented in a form that is useful.

6. Performance - The user interface should help users perform their work efficiently. To do this it should:

   • Reduce the number of steps to perform an action
   • Prevent users from becoming confused
   • Reduces errors

7. Compatibility - There needs to be compatibility with other systems for transferring data. This is achieved by:

   • Allowing data to be exported/imported in a .csv format.