Component Proposal: Glossary #5771
Replies: 4 comments 4 replies
-
Here's another example: https://revenuedata.doi.gov/ When I was at Interior, we had the book icon like the FEC site linked above has and found during user interviews that people didn't always understand what the icon meant. Many didn't associate the book with getting more information or help and some thought it was a bible, so we switched to the question mark icon. Many more participants associated the question mark with getting more information about a term. We would definitely use a glossary component at the Office of Homeland Security Statistics. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
Digital.gov has several glossaries, and we'd make heavy use of a glossary component. Examples: |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
There are accessibility issues with some of these examples (especially ones with a hover-only option). That said, there would be a huge benefit to having a component/method for explaining complex terms. We are researching this on a project where some American terms don't translate well in other languages. A complicating factor is taking someone off a page to a glossary section or distracting them with a widget that opens on the side with additional terms. Testing with people with ADHD for example, indicates they want to stay as focused on a single task as possible. I was considering a method of keeping a person on a page and allowing them to "learn more" or explore a topic more deeply without a hover or tooltip interaction. The USWDS accordion could be repurposed into a "details" component. See the UK design system example. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
Just wanted to post an update - we're currently evaluating this proposal against a few guiding acceptance criteria, such as:
We're wrapping up some desk research so we can make an evidence-based decision. So far, it's looking like it's ideal to use a combination of strategies for helping users understand unfamiliar terms. Those could include using a standalone glossary, but could also include point-of-need solutions like accordions, modals, and using plain language alternatives next to the technical terms in context. More to come! |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
Examples
https://design.va.gov/content-style-guide/word-list
https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/registering-political-party/
https://github.com/18F/glossary
https://www.usaspending.gov/
DESIGN ASSETS
GUIDANCE
CODE
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
All reactions