Abstract
Error messages presented to users are one of the most important elements of Web forms. Error messages are embedded in different parts of the forms available on the Internet and presented in various formats. One of the measures of a user-friendly error message design is the ability to easily capture users’ attention and facilitate fast error correction. In this empirical study, I tested four different locations of error messages frequently used in Web forms on 32 participants. In addition, I analysed the participants’ interactions with error messages through their eye movements. The results of the study showed that the participants spotted the error message fastest when it was displayed on the right side of the erroneous input field. When error messages displayed further the input field users have less saccades to and fixations on error messages compared to those located near to this field, suggesting that less effort has been spent to understand the given message. However, group mean dif-ferences were not statistically significant for form completion time, error recognition time, the number of saccades, and error correction time.
Highlights
Forms usually have complex requirements (Harms, 2013; Nielsen, 2005; Thompson & Torabi, 2007) and present usability issues (Nielsen, 2005)
The aim of this study is to perform an experimental analysis of most frequently used methods for displaying error messages in Web forms reported by Seckler, Tuch, Opwis, and BargasAvila (2012) in accordance with design guidelines presented by Seckler, Heinz, Bargas-Avila, Opwis, and Tuch (2014)
Form completion time refers to the time taken from the opening of the form in the browser to completing the form successfully
Summary
Forms usually have complex requirements (Harms, 2013; Nielsen, 2005; Thompson & Torabi, 2007) and present usability issues (Nielsen, 2005). Beyond this complexity, the logic underlying forms is very clear and straightforward considering that users must enter the data in pre-defined fields presented to them (Harms, 2013). User-friendly locations of error messages in Web forms: An eye tracking study. Journal of Eye Movement Research, 9(5): .
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
