Bottom Line:
The purpose of PROSDEX is to provide information to men about the PSA test and prostate cancer.
Publication details:
This website features information on the PSA test, making decisions about the PSA test, prostate cance, diagnosis and treatments.
We assessed this page using an appraisal instrument developed by Minervation specifically for this project. This approach is still in development, so you should regard the assessments as a general guide. Click here to find out more, or to let us know how you think the approach could be improved.
Reliability comments:
- There is a bibliography site users can download.
- Logos and other information is provided in the Background page.
- The site does not report a comprehensive literature search.
Usability comments:
- Videos and animations are very effective.
- Printing is not available from Decision Summary
- No registration is required
- Flash: no text only version available; some image alt tags missing.
- Not always clear how to return to home page; no breadcrumbs.
Scoring
Reliability
| Item |
Score |
| Is it clear who has developed the web site and what their objectives are? |
3 |
| Logos and other information is provided in the Background page. |
| Does the site report a robust quality control procedure? |
2 |
| The site does not report a comprehensive literature search. |
| Is the page content checked by an expert? |
2 |
|
|
| Is the page updated regularly? |
1 |
|
|
| Does the page cite relevant sources where appropriate? |
3 |
| There is a bibliography site users can download. |
Usability
| Item |
Score |
| Is the site accessible without a login? |
3 |
| No registration is required |
| Does the site conform to web Accessibility standards? |
1 |
| Flash: no text only version available; some image alt tags missing. |
| Is the site design clear and transparent? |
2 |
| Not always clear how to return to home page; no breadcrumbs.
Tracks user progress very nicely, though does not save this data between sessions. The page-specific links between Decision Summary and are not 100% transparent until you start using it.
Tracks user progress very nicely, though does not save this data between sessions. The page-specific links between Decision Summary and are not 100% transparent until you start using it.
Tracks user progress very nicely, though does not save this data between sessions. The page-specific links between Decision Summary and are not 100% transparent until you start using it. |
| Is the site design consistent from one page to another? |
2 |
| Home page is inconsistent, as is the splash screen. Some subsection are laid out inconsistently. |
| Can users find what they need on the site? |
1 |
| Information is rather inconsistent in coverage. Cross-links to more or related details would be helpful, as would a search facility. Back button does not work. Users can't link directly to specific parts of the site. |
| Is the format of information clear and appropriate for the audience? |
3 |
| Videos and animations are very effective. Printing is not available from Decision Summary |
| Weighted total (Usability + (Reliability x 2)): |
34 |
We score each question out of three where:
| 0 |
= Never or Can't tell |
| 1 |
= Sometimes or partly |
| 2 |
= Mostly |
| 3 |
= Always |
|
PROSDEX
