bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Task, Behavior, and Environmental Analysis for Automobile Left-Turn Maneuvers
Authors: Rahimi M.
Published: January 2012

A predominance of automobile-motorcycle accidents occurs when drivers turn left across the path of on-coming motorcycles. The source of driver failure may be perceptual, cognitive, environmental, or some interaction among these factors. This paper begins with a task analysis of driver behavior, automobile design considerations, and environmental variables in a left-turn scenario. Then, a methodology is presented to evaluate features of traffic intersections. Finally, an experiment is explained to indicate the differences in patterns of driver eye and head movements at a busy versus a quiet intersection.
Contrasting Driver Behavior during Turns and Straight Driving
Authors: Hancock P. A. , Wulf Gabriele , Thom David R. , Fassnacht Peter
Published: January 2012

In automobile-motorcycle collisions, one particular configuration clearly stands out above all others This dominant case sees the automobile driver turn left across the right-of-way of the on-coming motorcyclist. Our attempts to understand this particular accident have focused upon the actions of the driver. In the results of the experiment reported here, it is clear that turning involves a higher probability of structural interference to visual information processing and increase in mental load compared to straight driving. These effects are implicated in increased detection failure. The outcome of detection failure is radically different for left versus right-turns. In the former case, a turn is made across the face of oncoming traffic compared to the latter, more benign condition where no traffic conflict is liable to be experienced. The implications of these findings for enhancing motorcycle conspicuity are examined.
Cigarette Warnings: Recall of Content as a Function of Gender, Message Context, Smoking Habits and Time
Authors: Gardner-Bonneau Daryle Jean , Kabbara Fawzi , Hwang Minjohn , Bean Hans , Gantt Marilyn , Hartshorn Kevin , Howell Jennifer , Spence Rahim
Published: January 2012

The purpose of the present study was to assess the degree to which smokers and nonsmokers can recall warning information about the hazards of smoking, as a function of message context, time and gender. Subjects were presented with printed messages, advertisements, or cigarette packs containing the four currently used warnings. Recall of the message content was measured immediately after viewing the message, as well as one week later. In general, recall of the informational content of the messages was poor. However, there were differences among the experimental conditions. Smokers recalled more information than nonsmokers, and more information was recalled from the printed messages and the cigarette packs, than from the magazine advertisements. In addition, there were differences in the percentages of information recalled from the four messages. Suggestions for changes in the message content and design are offered, based on the currently available guidelines.
Risk Perception and Precautionary Intent for Common Consumer Products
Authors: Martin Elaine G. , Wogalter Michael S.
Published: January 2012

This study examined whether accident scenario analysis reduces accident frequency misestimations and leads to heightened precautionary intent for products. Subjects generated or were provided with accident scenarios and then made estimates. Other subjects made estimates at either a quick or slower pace without analysis. These and an additional group of subjects then rated precautionary intent for the products. Subject gave ratings for confidence in their estimations and reported whether they had injury experience related to the products. No differences were found among group correlations with actual frequencies. The Hurried subjects reported lower precautionary intent ratings than other groups. Subjects with injury experience reported higher precautionary intent than subjects without such experience. No relationship was found between precautionary intent and frequency estimates. Personal knowledge of accidents rather than general knowledge of accidents or frequencies may be a better predictor of consumers' intended behavior.
Experimental Evaluation of Emergency Stop Buttons on Hand-Held Teach Pendants
Authors: Collins James W.
Published: January 2012

A teach pendant is a hand-held portable control and display device used for teaching and recording the movements of an industrial robot. There is no standard design for hand-held control pendants for robotic applications. A research project was undertaken by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to evaluate the effect of the location and the diameter of the emergency stop button on the time required for a person to initiate an emergency stop during a simulated robotic task. A prototype teach pendant simulator was designed and constructed. The simulator pendant accommodated an emergency stop (E-stop) button of two different button diameters at ten different pendant locations. Using reach time as the dependent variable, statistically significant effects were found between the E-stop button diameter and button location.
Relation of Individual Differences in Information-Processing Ability to Driving Performance
Authors: Ranney Thomas A. , Pulling Nathaniel H.
Published: January 2012

Fifty subjects ranging in age from 30 to 83 participated in a closed-course driving test and in laboratory tests of information processing. Driving tests included responding to traffic signals, selection of routes, avoidance of moving hazards, and judgment at stationary gaps. Lab tests included measures of perceptual style, selective attention, reaction time, visual acuity, perceptual speed and risk-taking propensity. Analyses were conducted to determine how well lab measures predicted driving performance. Results revealed different patterns of correlations for different age groups. For younger drivers (30-51), lab measures generally showed no association with measures of driving performance. For older drivers (74-83), measures of information-processing were associated with overall rated driving performance, while measures of reaction time showed strong correlations with objective driving measures. The results suggested that different mechanisms are utilized by drivers of different ages, and that the slowing of reaction time associated with aging has effects on driving skills related to vehicle control.
An Ergonomics Perspective on Safety in the Oilfield
Authors: Wardell Ron W.
Published: January 2012

Safety analyses of drilling operations are often written from the perspectives of regulation, economics, industry structure, etc. The ergonomic perspective on safety emphasizes that equipment and operations should be designed in light of human capabilities and limitations. To demonstrate this approach a scenario analysis was performed on records for 134 safety incidents on oilwell drilling rigs. The characteristics of the most critical scenarios were then considered to determine the extent to which the ergonomics of environment, equipment, and work methods might have contributed. Ergonomic data was collected at four drilling sites, including a prototype semi-automated rig. From both ergonomic and safety perspectives, the work situation of operators on a conventional rig floor is most in need of remediation. Mechanical pipe handling would provide the most complete solution to this unpleasant and unsafe environment, its strenuous and over-extending tasks, and the risks inherent in putting people near heavy moving objects. Significant improvements can be made at the detail level and at minimum cost in some tasks. Improvement in other tasks requires basic conceptual changes in rig systems and architecture. To realize their potential, new rig concepts must be carefully and systematically designed, and ergonomics should be considered throughout their design.
Research to Determine the Frequency and Cause of Injury Accidents in Underground Mining
Authors: Shaw Brian E. , Sanders Mark S.
Published: January 2012

The objective of this project was to perform a comprehensive analysis of underground mining injury accidents to determine the relative contribution of various causal factors, including human error. A paper presented at the Human Factors Society 31st Annual Meeting (Shaw and Sanders, 1985) describes the methodology for assessing the relative contribution of various factors to accident causation and presented preliminary findings. A Bureau of Mines Technical Report (Sanders and Shaw, 1988) completely documents the research project and presents final findings and recommendations. The present paper focuses on the final data set to explore the multiplicity of contributing causal factors, and the underlying reasons for involvement of these factors, in underground mining accidents.
Integrated Human Factors in the Naval Sea Systems Command
Authors: Malone Thomas B.
Published: January 2012

The Navy ship constitutes one of the most complex weapon systems in the US defense arsenal. It is a multi-personnel system which conducts multi-operations in multi-warfare environments (AAW, ASW, ASUW, EW and strike), as an independent combatant, a member of a squadron, or an element of a battle force. The demands on the ship design from a human factors point of view are unique in the breadth of their scope and the depth of requirements. This paper describes the status of the Integrated Human Factors Program in the Naval Sea Systems Command including the Program objectives, accomplishments, research thrusts, and plans.
Tools for Investigating Cognitive Performance under Simulated Conditions
Authors: Wheeler William A. , Toquam Jody L.
Published: January 2012

Safe and efficient use of modern technology often hinges upon the ability of persons operating these systems to perform effectively under a wide variety of conditions. This paper describes several tools developed to investigate the influence of psycho-social variables on cognitive performance under stressful conditions. These tools include indirect, non-obtrusive video recording equipment to capture real-time cognitive behavior, and a several multi-dimensional and multi-method techniques to measure cognitive ability and psycho-social conditions. These techniques are used to bridge the gap between basic laboratory research and field observation.
Human Factors Management in Systems Acquisition: Perspectives on an Applied Research and Development Success Story
Authors: Horn Jay A.
Published: January 2012

The role played by human factors engineering in the research and development of complex weapons systems is critical to satisfactory operational performance of the system. The role of the human factors engineering manager is no less critical; this individual is not only charged with designing, implementing and reviewing the human factors engineering effort, but also providing leadership in resolving conflicts, building concensus, and championing unpopular positions. This paper chronicles the impact of the human factors engineering program in a moderately-large R & D. The details of the project are analyzed using the an organizational model that focuses on the interactions among the organizational, technical and political logics prevalent at the time. Using this approach, several insights regarding the role of the HFE manager are revealed, and some guidelines for managing human factors engineering research and development programs are offered.
Task-Operator Study for the Primary Flight Control Center of Tarawa Class (LHA) Ships
Authors: Permenter Kathryn E. , Baker Clifford C.
Published: January 2012

This report presents the findings of a Task-Operator study for the Primary Flight Control (Pri-Fly) major operating stations aboard Tarawa class (LHA) ships. The LHA carries a variety of attack and cargo helicopters, plus AV-8A Sea Harrier jet aircraft. Pri-Fly is the area of the ship which controls the landing and recovery of aircraft, as well as flight control when aircraft are in the immediate vicinity of the ship. Two main positions were examined by this study, the Air Administrator (Air-Boss) and the Assistant Air Administrator (Mini-Boss). The purposes of this study were to perform a task-operator study of Pri-Fly personnel task requirements, to identify human-equipment interface design problems given the existing configuration of Pri-Fly within LHAs, and to provide general design recommendations based on the findings of the study. Seven tasks were undertaken to meet the objectives of the project. Overall, the review identified numerous human engineering design problems in Pri-Fly, many of which severely limit the performance of Pri-Fly personnel. Based on this review, it is asserted that significant improvement can be realized, in terms of air operations safety and efficiency, by instituting a Pri-Fly improvement program.
Computer Aids for Authoring Technical Text Written in Controlled English
Authors: Kniffin J. Douglas , Kincaid J. Peter , Lang Sheau , Thomas Margaret
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the development and validation of software to automate the authoring of training materials written in controlled English, such as Simplified English (SE). In SE, writers must adhere to many writing rules. While such materials are easy to read, they are very difficult to write. For example, use of short names for equipment must be consistent; also use of synonyms is not allowed. The software provides feedback regarding adherence to stipulated vocabulary and writing rules. Algorithms contained in the software include sentence parsing routines to verify that words are used according to their defined part of speech.
Human Force Exertion: The Significance of the Measure?
Authors: Hennion P. Y. , Mollard R. , Coblentz A.
Published: January 2012

A basic research was conducted on a sample of twelve right-handed young males for pull actions of the upper limb on a gauge handle. The general purpose is to constitute an atlas of forces for french males, useful for ergonomics studies. Different conditions were tested before to select a standard protocol. Main difficulties concern the elimination of lower limbs contribution, the stability of the posture, the motivation of the subject and the choice of the parameters for the measure. Intra-individual variability in function of the protocols is in a range of 20-30%. With the usual standard protocol, this variability still remains if we try to evaluate maximal pull force during a week period. The interpretation of these data is not clear, and a more accurate definition of the measure is necessary before recommendations for normative data. Time duration of 5 seconds, real-time display of the force and maximal peak value seem to be an acceptable solution by comparison with a functional effort on a torque wrench that reflects a realistic action. It is proposed to use this procedure for the next experiments.
Paired Associate Learning Revisited: Paradigm for Assessing Ease of Learning and Transfer of Command Mnemonics
Authors: Serafin Colleen , Biers David W.
Published: January 2012

The present study investigated the use of a classic laboratory paradigm, paired-associate (PA) learning, to assess the ease of learning and transfer of command mnemonics. This paradigm was applied to the ease of learning text editing command language where the stimulus was a command (e.g., Delete Block) and the response was the keystroke sequence associated with that command (e.g., ^DB). Two types of command keystroke sequences were employed; meaningful (M) abbreviations which were mnemonically related to command names (e.g., Delete Block = ^DB), and nonmeaningful (MN) abbreviations which are not mnemonically related to command names (e.g., Delete Block = ^LK). There was evidence for differential transfer only for the average number correct measure but not the trials-to-criterion-measure. For both first and second list learning, it took significantly fewer trials to criterion to learn the M than NM keystroke sequences. The present results point toward the use of the PA paradigm to standardize the ease of learning of command languages in software usability testing. It may be concluded that the trials-to-criterion measure and the average number correct measrues are sufficiently senstive metrics to differentiate ease of learning good from bad command mnemonics.
Pairs of Latin Squares to Counterbalance Sequential Effects and Pairing of Conditions and Stimuli
Authors: Lewis James R.
Published: January 2012

This paper discusses methods with which one can simultaneously counterbalance immediate sequential effects and pairing of conditions and stimuli in a within-subjects design using pairs of Latin squares. Within-subjects (repeated measures) experiments are common in human factors research. The designer of such an experiment must develop a scheme to ensure that the conditions and stimuli are not confounded, or randomly order stimuli and conditions. While randomization ensures balance in the long run, it is possible that a specific random sequence may not be acceptable. An alternative to randomization is to use Latin squares. The usual Latin square design ensures that each condition appears an equal number of times in each column of the square. Latin squares have been described which have the effect of counterbalancing immediate sequential effects. The objective of this work was to extend these earlier efforts by developing procedures for designing pairs of Latin squares which ensure complete counterbalancing of immediate sequential effects for both conditions and stimuli, and also ensure that conditions and stimuli are paired in the squares an equal number of times.
Transfer of Automatic Component Processes to Compatible, Incompatible, and Conflict Situations: Issues for Retraining
Authors: Lee Mark D. , Rogers Wendy A. , Fisk Arthur D.
Published: January 2012

An experiment was conducted to examine the potential negative effects of automatic task components in situations requiring re-use or inhibition of those components. Participants trained on a category search task for 8,400 trials in three consistent (CM) and one varied mapping (VM) conditions. Following training, 2,352 trials were completed in seven transfer conditions. Results suggest that skill transfers to similar task situations. However, the data demonstrate that if the transfer situations are incompatible or prior learning must be inhibited, performance is disrupted. Although each condition improved after 336 transfer trials, performance did not reach pre-transfer levels in incompatible or inhibited conditions. The present data are useful for predicting transfer performance when skill components are trained to automaticity using a part-task methodology.
The Development of a Scale to Assess the Teamwork Needs of Training Situations
Authors: Stout Rene'e J. , Cannon-Bowers Jan , Morgan Ben B. , Salas Eduardo
Published: January 2012

Operational studies have revealed a need to focus attention on team training, and a need for effective teamwork skills for successful training performance. The present study was designed to develop an assessment scale that can be used by instructors of various training situations, which will yield a measure of the degree of teamwork required in their situations. Data obtained from the scale show psychometrically sound properties of the scale (high internal consistency and high item-total correlations) and initial validity of it (the ability to distinguish various training situations as to the extent of teamwork that is required). Recommendations for future research are also discussed.
Training Potential of Multiplayer Air Combat Simulation
Authors: Houck Michael R. , Thomas Gary S. , Bell Herbert H.
Published: January 2012

The objective of this investigation was to identify air combat mission tasks that could be trained using existing multiship simulator technology. Forty-two mission ready F-15 pilots and 16 tactical air controllers rated their need for additional training on 41 air combat tasks. These pilots and controllers then participated in four days of air combat training using McDonnell Aircraft Company's simulation facility. This training allowed the participants to practice two-ship tactics in an unrestricted combat environment which included multiple air and ground threats, electronic combat, and real-time kill removal. Following training, the participants rated the value of their current unit training and training provided by the multiship simulation. Pilots rated the multiship simulator training superior to their current unit training for 22 of the 41 air combat tasks. Pilots also rated their need for additional training in those 22 combat tasks from “very” to “extremely” desirable. The controllers indicated that all combat tasks were better trained in the multiplayer simulation than in their current unit training program. Interviews and questionnaires also identified a number of strengths and weaknesses of the simulation that provide “lessons learned” for the development and use of future multiplayer air combat simulations.
The Effects of Practice on Tracking and Subjective Workload
Authors: Hancock P. A. , Robinson M. A. , Chu A. L. , Hansen D. R. , Vercruyssen M. , Grose E. , Fisk A. D.
Published: January 2012

Six college-age male subjects performed one hundred, two-minute trials on a second-order tracking task. After each trial, subjects estimated perceived workload using both the NASA TLX and SWAT workload assessment procedures. Results confirmed an expected performance improvement on the tracking task which followed traditional learning curves within the performance of each individual. Perceived workload also decreased for both scales across trials. While performance variability significantly decreased across trials, workload variability remained constant. One month later, the same subjects returned to complete the second experiment in the sequence which was a retention replication of the first experiment. Results replicated those for the first experiment except that both performance error and workload were at reduced overall levels. Results in general affirm a parallel workload reduction with performance improvement, an observation consistent with a resource-based view of automaticity.
Perspectives on Cognitive Task-Analysis: The State of the State of the Art
Authors: Redding Richard E.
Published: January 2012

This study presents a critical analysis of the state of current technologies, methods, and tools used in cognitive task-analysis. Methods for cognitive task-analysis, derived from methods used in cognitive science, are relatively new and have not been systematized. Current methodologies demand considerable time and expertise to conduct properly and often yield data which is difficult to readily translate into practical application. This paper examines these problems and proposes some directions for future research and training program development.
Cognitive Task Analysis: Techniques Applied to Airborne Weapons Training
Authors: Terranova Michele , Seamster Thomas L. , Snyder Cathrine E. , Treitler Inga E.
Published: January 2012

This is an introduction to cognitive task analysis as it may be used in Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) training development. The focus of a cognitive task analysis is human knowledge, and its methods of analysis are those developed by cognitive psychologists. This paper explains the role that cognitive task analysis can play in the development of advanced training systems and presents the findings from a preliminary cognitive task analysis of airborne weapons operators. Cognitive task analysis is a collection of powerful techniques that are quantitative, computational, and rigorous. The techniques are currently not in wide use in the training community, so examples of this methodology are presented along with the results.
Attention Allocation in Situation Awareness
Authors: Fracker Martin L.
Published: January 2012

Subjects were given a “god's eye” view of an air battle involving seven aircraft: two were friendly, either one or three were hostile, and the rest were neutral. In one condition (Consistent FFN), which aircraft were friend, foe, or neutral was consistent throughout a trial. In another condition (Variable FFN), the identity of each aircraft changed randomly within a trial. In general, subjects' spatial awareness was best for enemy aircraft and worst for neutral aircraft. Increasing the number of enemy aircraft from one to three degraded spatial awareness for enemy aircraft in both FFN conditions. FFN awareness for was also affected. These results are interpreted in terms of a limited capacity model of attention and subjects' attentional priorities.
The Influence of Eccentricity, Contrast, and Angular Extent on the Perception of Peripheral Apparent Motion
Authors: Barfield Woodrow , Bun Loo Kar , Kraft Conrad
Published: January 2012

Two experiments were performed to investigate the perception of peripherally presented apparent motion as a function of eccentricity of the stimulus, ambient illumination, gender, athletic ability, age, stimuli pattern (diamond, square), and angular extent of stimuli presentation. The experiment task for both studies was to determine the direction of apparent motion for a lighter than background stimulus target presented on a Braumbach perimeter. The results from experiment one indicated main effects for subjects, eccentricity, and age. The results from experiment two indicated main effects for subjects, eccentricity, and angular separation of the apparent motion.
Eye and Head Response as Indicators of Attention Cue Effectiveness
Authors: Calhoun Gloria L. , Janson William P.
Published: January 2012

This study examined whether eye and head responses can be used to evaluate attention cue effectiveness. The subjects' tasks were to complete a centrally-located tracking task while periodically responding to cues to identify targets at four peripheral locations. Five directional cues were evaluated: visual symbol, coded sound, speech cue, three dimensional (3-D) sound and 3-D speech (the 3-D cues appeared to emanate from the peripheral locations). The results showed significant performance differences in eye and head reaction time, as well as peripheral target task completion time, as a function of cue modality. Since these relatively nonobtrusive measures were as sensitive to cue modality as the peripheral task completion time, these results suggest that eye and head reaction time can be used in evaluations addressing the effectiveness of attention cues.
The Effects of Scene Complexity on Judgements of Aimpoint during Final Approach
Authors: Barfield Woodrow , Rosenberg Craig
Published: January 2012

To study the effect of five levels of scene complexity on performance of a final approach task, ten different animations representing combinations of scene complexity and distance intervals to threshold were modeled. For the experiment task, seven subjects were required to estimate the perceived point of impact as an extrapolation of the final approach path. The results indicated that there was a significant interaction between scene complexity and distance to the actual impact point for both horizontal and vertical components of the judgement task. In addition, increasing the level of terrain complexity lead to better performance in judgements of horizontal displacement, however, the results for vertical displacements were unclear. The relationship between errors and performance for the experiment tasks are discussed.
Fitts' Task by Teleoperator: Movement Time, Velocity, and Acceleration
Authors: Draper John V. , Handel Stephen , Hood Christopher C.
Published: January 2012

This paper reports two experiments about teleoperation with replica master controllers. In the first experiment participants completed Fitts' (1954) reciprocal tapping task by hand and with a teleoperator. Movement time and index of difficulty were linearly related in these data. However, times were much longer with the teleoperator than when participants completed the task by hand. The information rate for the teleoperator was 2.88 bits per second, averaged across conditions. The information rate for performance by hand was 16.98 bits per second, nearly six times faster. In the second experiment master handle velocity and acceleration were calculated for each 10-millisecond interval during tapping task trials. Most velocity observations (95%) made during the task's terminal phase were less than 0.45 meter per second. Many observations (20%) made during the ballistic phase were greater than 0.7 meter per second. Acceleration characteristics divided the participants into two groups. The low-variability group exhibited accelerations between −0.9 and 0.9 meters pers second2. The high-variability group exhibited accelerations ranging from −29 to 41 meters per second. Style or skill differences among participants may have caused the acceleration variability difference.
Causes and Correlates of Age-Related Cognitive Slowing: Effects of Task Loading and CNS Arousal
Authors: Cann Michael T.
Published: January 2012

Although age-related slowing has been documented in the literature for over four decades, our understanding of this phenomena is far from complete. Two pressing theoretical issues are (1) Does age affect the central nervous system (CNS) in a general or specific manner, and (2) In what way does the level of ambient CNS arousal change with age, and how do such changes affect speed of behavior. Thirty-two young and old male and female individuals served as subjects in this experiment. All subjects performed a tapping task, a simple RT task, and a variety of four choice visual RT tasks while lying, sitting, and standing. For the CRT task, either an intact or degraded stimulus was preceded by a response-stimulus interval (RSI) of either 0–sec, 1.5–sec, or 4–sec, while the mapping between the stimulus and response was either high or low. In addition to predicted main effects of age, task difficulty, degradation, compatibility, posture, and RSI, interactions occurred between age and task difficulty, age and stimulus quality, and age and S-R compatibility. Older subjects were disproportionately slower during the more difficult tasks, the degraded stimulus condition, and the low S-R compatibility condition. A three way interaction was also observed between posture, stimulus quality, and S-R compatibility such that posture effects were observed for each task except the most difficult task (degraded stimulus/low S-R compatibility condition). This posture by task loading effect depended on the age of the subject such that while the younger subjects benefitted from posture regardless of task, the old subjects actually showed a reversed posture effect (lying faster than standing) during the most difficult task. The results of this study support both behavioral correlates of the cycle time hypothesis proposed by Botwinick (1984): Namely that older subjects are slowed to a proportionately greater extent as tasks become more difficult, and that older subjects experience a generalized slowing across the various stages of information processing. Results also indicated that cognitive energetics function differently in the old than in the young. Specifically, during the performance of particularly difficult tasks when aroused, older subjects may suffer from overload (and a consequent performance decrement) not evident in younger subjects.
Age and the Elderly Internal Clock: Further Evidence for a Fundamentally Slowed CNS
Authors: Cann Michael T. , Vercruyssen Max , Hancock P. A.
Published: January 2012

Earlier studies have found little or no effect for age on the estimation of time. These results may reflect a true independence, or they may be an artifact of a subvocal counting strategy or an automatic and unconscious recalibration process by the elderly that adjusts for a slowed internal clock. These alternatives were examined by requiring subjects to estimate a prescribed time interval either alone or while also engaged in a resource demanding secondary task. The secondary task was assumed to prevent or inhibit the use of a counting strategy and any such recalibration processes from occurring. Thirty-two subjects, consisting of 16 young (mean age = 25 yrs) and 16 old (mean age = 71 yrs) individuals, performed a time estimation task both alone (unfilled interval production, the single-task condition) and while simultaneously counting backwards by threes from a number between 50 and 100 (filled interval production, the dual-task condition). Results indicated that while no age differences existed in interval production during the single-task condition, the older adults significantly overestimated the 10–sec interval during the dual-task condition, compared to the younger subjects. These findings are interpreted in terms of a slowed internal clock in the elderly. Such a slowing of the internal clock may explain a significant portion of the age-related variance in speed of behavior.
Older Adults Sometimes Benefit from Environmental Support: Evidence from Reading Distorted Text
Authors: Shaw Raymond J.
Published: January 2012

An implication of the generally assumed age-related deficit in processing resources is that older adults should be more reliant on support in the task environment than younger adults in any cognitive task. This notion, an extension of Craik's (1986) environmental support framework for memory, was investigated in four studies of reading. In Experiment 1, two distorted texts varied in the amount of irrelevant words created by rearrangement of the spaces between words. The irrelevant words were predicted to attract attention, and thus slow reading. Older adults were much more slowed than were younger adults by loss of support for reading. In Experiment 2, emphasized irrelevant words disrupted reading more than did de-emphasized ones, but not more so for older adults. These results were replicated in two further experiments using individual sentences rather than running texts. These results suggest that environmental support affects younger and older adults differently, but that this claim must be qualified by task-specific characteristics. Theoretical and practical implications of such qualifications are discussed.
Improving the Design of Telephone-Based Information Systems
Authors: Martin Michele M. , Williges Beverly H. , Williges Robert C.
Published: January 2012

Telephone information systems using synthetic speech displays have become a common form of communication between a computer and a remote user. The purpose of this study was to examine five variables associated with the design of such telephone information systems: the rate of synthetic speech, the time allowed for user input, the structure of the menu hierarchy, the availability of a diagram of the menu structure, and the amount of augmented feedback provided as the user traversed the menus. Each subject completed 16 searches through the auditory database using the telephone keypad. After each search, the subject transcribed a message presented by synthetic speech. The search task was affected by all variables except feedback. The accuracy of transcription was affected only by the rate of the synthetic speech. Implications for the design of telephone information systems are discussed.
The Selection of Alphanumeric Code Sequences
Authors: Preczewski Stanley C. , Fisher Donald L.
Published: January 2012

Maintaining secure radio communications in the armed forces places an especially heavy cognitive load on all involved personnel. For example, in the Army each individual must memorize on a daily basis at least three new five character codes. The current Army code consists of the sequence letter-digit-letter followed by the sequence digit-digit (LDL-DD.) Research on paired associate learning suggests that recall could be improved by using either a letter only stimulus pair (LLL-LL) or a letter-digit stimulus pair (LLL-DD). An experiment was run to test this hypothesis. Recall for the experimental letter-digit code was over twice as good as recall for the current code.
Effects of Mental Models of a Computer-Aided Instruction System on the Acquisition of Cognitive Skills
Authors: Hsu Shang H. , Chen John C.
Published: January 2012

The human-computer interface of a computer-aided instruction (CAI) system can affect the learning of knowledge and skills. This study investigated the relative effectiveness of various mental models (i.e., metaphor, surrogate, and network) of a CAI system on the acquisition of intellectual skills and verbal information. Before the learning session started, subjects from each mental model group were given instructions about a representation of the system. Immediately after completion of the learning session, subjects were tested for their problem-solving performance. Time spent to solve each problem along with its accuracy was recorded.

Results showed that there was an effect of mental models on the acquisition of intellectual skills. In terms of response speed and accuracy in problems requiring high complexity reasoning tasks, the Network model was most effective among the three. The Metaphor model, however, was best for problems requiring low complexity reasoning tasks.

Mental models showed no effect on speed of the recall in verbal information. The metaphor model, however, was the best in terms of recall accuracy. These results suggested that CAI systems would require different human-computer interfaces depending on types of content knowledge and task requirements.
How the Look Affects the Feel: Visual Design and the Creation of an Information Kiosk
Authors: Salomon Gitta B
Published: January 2012

This paper describes a visually-oriented, iterative methodology for the design of human-computer interfaces. It focuses on the implementation of an interactive electronic information kiosk, the “CHI ′89 InfoBooth.” Throughout the system's design, the interdisciplinary project team concentrated on using visual materials to simulate the user's experience, rather than on writing text specifications.

The paper discusses the role played by visual design in three phases of the system's development. It first describes how the use of “visual placeholders” — sketchy drawings conveying interface ideas — facilitated early design explorations. Next, it shows how “storytelling prototypes” were used to refine ideas before rigorous programming was undertaken. Finally, it describes how problems uncovered during informal user testing of functional prototypes were corrected by seemingly small changes to the interface's appearance. Specific visual examples are provided throughout.
Human Factors Data: Knowledge Sources for Intelligent Design Associates
Authors: Mitta Deborah , Ellis Newton C. , Simmons Dick B.
Published: January 2012

A number of human factors data sources provide guidelines and recommendations for the system design process. Much of this information is available to the human factors engineer in design handbooks, textbooks, and periodicals. This paper will discuss the feasibility of incorporating human factors design data into intelligent, knowledge based systems referred to as design associates. Results of recent efforts to implement two types of design associates are also discussed.
Derivation and Validation of a Quantitative Method for the Analysis of Consistency for Interface Design
Authors: Tanaka Toshiaki , Eberts Ray E. , Salvendy Gavriel
Published: January 2012

Quantitative measures of consistency are formulated for human-computer interactive tasks. Two different kinds of consistency are considered: cognitive consistency and display layout consistency. Cognitive consistency is formulated by constructing the methods used for a task and the steps needed to perform the methods. A quantitative value for cognitive consistency is determined by analyzing the number of changes which would have to be made to change one method to another method. Display layout consistency is formulated by examining display parameters between two or more layouts. An experiment was performed to test the predictions of the quantitative analyses of consistency. Cognitive inconsistent tasks and inconsistent display layouts had a slightly detrimental effect on the speed of performance during an initial session. When the subjects had to return to the task several days after originally learning the task, performance on the cognitive inconsistent tasks was slower than on inconsistent display layout tasks. This latter result indicates that users will not necessarily have difficulty when learning inconsistent interactive methods but the problem will occur once the methods are learned and the user must switch between programs using inconsistent methods of interaction.
Analysis of the Tony!™ Variable Geometry VDT Keyboard
Authors: Thompson David A. , Thomas Janis , Cone James , Daponte Antonio , Markison Robert
Published: January 2012

This study utilizes a variable geometry keyboard to analyze the optimal configuration for a split QWERTY-type keyboard. The measured criteria were muscle activity as measured by EMG and reported operator discomfort. A variable geometry keyboard, simultaneously adjustable in opening angle (yaw) and lateral angle (roll) was obtained. The upward slope (tilt) was preset at 10%. The study manipulated the keyboard geometry to assess the difference in musculoskeletal activity between using (1) a conventional, flat, linear keyboard; (2) a neutral, undeviated wrist position; and (3) two forearm positions that essentially eliminate pronation. Eight experienced subjects with no prior history of wrist injury or other pathology were tested. EMG activity of four relevant muscle groups was measured on each subject for each of the four keyboard positions. The study suggested an 18° opening angle and a 30°–60° lateral angle as optimal when compared with a flat, standard keyboard (they minimize objective EMG activity and subjective discomfort).
Gesture Set Economics for Text and Spreadsheet Editors
Authors: Blatt Louis A. , Schell Alan
Published: January 2012

Since the widespread acceptance of alternative input devices and the development of technology for character recognition, gestures have begun to be investigated as a potential dialog type in software applications. Inter and intra-subject consistency has been reported; however, no one has reported inter-application consistency. This paper begins to take a systematic approach to identifying a minimal set of gestures that would be necessary to operate across a series of applications. Two tasks with 15 subjects in each were conducted on the use of gestures to edit text and spreadsheets using a pencil and paper. By examining people's editing marks in these two situations, this study begins to identify the level to which gestures remain consistent across applications. The results are discussed in relationship to the implementation of an economical gestural interface for an application suite.
Integrating Human Factors/Ergonomics in Facilitating the Design/Analysis of Consumer Products: A Computerized Knowledge-Base System
Authors: Diaz Eileen , Asfour Shihab , Khalil Tarek , Abdel-Moty Elsayed
Published: January 2012

An on-line, interactive and user-friendly computerized knowledge-base system is presented in this paper. It makes Human Factors information available to designers of consumer products. The Ergonomic Design Analysis Database (EDAD) requires the use of personal computer technology without extensive computer knowledge on the part of the user. The database is structured so that several screen menus provide various options for the user. The information, guidelines and dimensions are available for New Designs as well as Pre-existing Designs.
A Comparative Evaluation of the Electronic Keyboard Synthesizer User Interface
Authors: Ruffner John W. , Coker Gary W.
Published: January 2012

A great deal of progress has been made in recent years in understanding the variables that affect the human-system interface. User interface principles have been developed and applied to the design of many military and industrial products. However, these principles are often not applied systematically to the design of the user interface of consumer products. The electronic keyboard synthesizer represents a type of consumer product in which the accurate and timely exchange of information between the system and the user during real-time system operation is essential for optimizing overall system performance. There are many similarities between the mental and physical demands of operating electronic keyboard synthesizers and operating other consumer products, such as personal computers. In many ways, synthesizers have evolved into single purpose computers. Accordingly, an understanding of the factors that affect keyboard synthesizer user interfaces can make a contribution to the understanding of consumer product interface design. This paper provides a brief, nontechnical overview of the evolutionary development of the keyboard synthesizer, discusses three technological developments that have had a major impact on the evolution of the synthesizer user interface, illustrates representative synthesizer user interface designs, and presents a comparative evaluation of the designs with respect to their adherence to user interface principles.
Controlling and Monitoring Induced Unconsciousness: Ergonomics and Design in Anesthesia
Authors: Hudspith Sydney
Published: January 2012

This research is the continuation of that presented in these proceedings in 1987; the application of Ergonomics and Industrial Design to the problems of the anesthesia workstation. However, the focus has grown from simple estimation of the unconscious patients depth-of-anesthesia (via brain stem, vagus nerve, esophagus) to the super-ordinate ergonomic problems of controlling and monitoring anesthesia; i.e., positioning and mobility of the clinician and equipment, information feedback, line of sight and reach, etc. This required the empirical determination of the necessary and sufficient patient-derived information required to manage each case, then making this information-gathering system the basis for the design of a new integrated monitoring system. The resulting system combines and displays all the necessary parameters in such a way that the clinician can determine the instantaneous or trended states of the patient, the system and the anesthesia procedure. Secondarily, the investigation has produced a novel attempt to classify the types of mental effort required during monitoring, also a head-mounted display to satisfy the clinicians need for mobility. The system is embodied in a single compact mobile monitor with interactive screens and lends itself to easy relocation and interrogation. Although not yet statistically proven, early feedback from researchers now using the prototype system suggests that it simplifies the clinicians task of maintaining the required heuristic “mental model” of the patient, system, and procedure.