bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Cognitive Measures and Models in Predicting Point-of-Sale Terminal Performance
Authors: Meyer Beth , Catrambone Richard
Published: January 2012

This study examined the effectiveness of different models in predicting performance in retail point-of-sale terminal operation. Newly trained participants performed nine different transactions on a retail point-of-sale terminal. We used a similarity rating task to measure participants' conceptual representation of the domain. Predicted performance times based on physical actions were developed from a Keystroke-Level Model (KLM) analysis, while predicted times based on number of cognitive steps were developed from GOMS models of the transactions (Card, Moran, & Newell, 1983). A measure reflecting the similarity of participants' conceptual representation of the task to that of experts did not predict performance. The KLM-based predictions did significantly predict performance times for both groups, though they somewhat underpredicted them. The GOMS-based predictions of cognitive steps did not substantially add to the predictions based on the KLM analysis.
STAR: Situating the Work Experience through Storytelling and Multimedia Techniques
Authors: Chandler Terrell N.
Published: January 2012

When teaching subtle information such as aviation regulations, there are advantages to providing students with many vantage points to the same body of information. The System for Training of Aviation Regulations (STAR) incorporates multimedia-rich presentations and storytelling techniques within several different learning environments to provide multiple vantage points to the training on aviation regulations. In this paper a description of how these approaches have been incorporated in each of the learning environments, and a summary of an evaluation of the STAR program conducted in November 1995 is presented.
Distance Perception in Virtual Environments: Effects of Field of View and Surface Texture at Near Distances
Authors: Kline Paul B. , Witmer Bob G.
Published: January 2012

This study investigated the effects of three system related cues on estimates of near distances. Subjects (N=28) viewed a simple VE and used a magnitude estimation procedure to generate distance estimates to a wall at the end of a corridor 1 to 12 feet away. Independent variables included type of wall texture (2 levels), resolution of wall texture (3 levels), display FOV (2 levels), and distance (12 levels). Dependent variables included distance estimates, response latency, and relative error of estimates. Subjects consistently underestimated distances judged using a wide FOV and overestimated distances judged with a narrow FOV. Distance estimates were significantly affected by both FOV and texture type. Significant interactions of distance with FOV, texture type, and texture resolution revealed that these variables had greater effects at the closer distances. The most accurate estimates occurred with a wide FOV and a rich, fine resolution pattern.
Assessing the Impact of Control and Sensory Compatibility on Sickness in Virtual Environments
Authors: Rich Christopher J. , Braun Curt C.
Published: January 2012

Virtual reality (VR) users are frequently limited by motion sickness-like symptoms. One factor that might influence sickness in VR is the level of control one has in a virtual environment. Reason's Sensory Conflict Theory suggested that motion sickness occurs when incompatibilities exist between four sensory inputs. It is possible that control and sensory compatibility are positively related. If this is the case, increasing control in a virtual environment should result in decreasing symptomology. To test this, the present study used the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire to measure symptomology of 163 participants after exposure to a virtual environment. Three levels of control and compatibility were assessed. It was hypothesized that the participants with control and compatible sensory information would experience fewer symptoms than participants in either the control/incompatible or no control/incompatible conditions. Although significant main effects were found for both gender and condition, the findings were opposite of those hypothesized. Possible explanations for this finding are discussed.
Impact of Varying Levels of Autostereovision upon Telemanipulation
Authors: Wiker Steven F. , Baker Daniel R. , Arndt Steven R. , Zhou Weijia
Published: January 2012

Teleroboticists have long argued that improved control and display performance would enhance telepresence and, thereby, telemanipulator performance. This study measured the impact of the DTI autostereo visual display system upon telemanipulation capacity, operator perceptions of system controllability, and perceived fatigue and discomfort, when faced with a wide range of movement amplitudes and end point accuracy in low and moderate variations in illumination levels. With introduction of stereovision, remote manipulation performance materially improved. Improvements were found only in the positioning phases of manipulations; not in rapid ballistic move elements. Improvements were found regardless of the level of illumination present at the remote work site in this study.
Comparison of Variable Coded Symbology to a Conventional Tactical Situation Display Method
Authors: Nugent William A.
Published: January 2012

Visual search performance was compared using three variable coded symbology (VCS) methods, which included a mixture of symbol colors and/or shapes on the same tactical situation display, to a single color-coded tactical symbol set. Six participants completed two replications of 12 trials using each method on a combined total of 336 targets. Half the sample viewed visually prominent air targets in VCS methods administered in the first session, with sea surface targets prominent in VCS methods in the second session; the converse for the other half. Performance measures included throughput-an estimate of correct target hits per working minute, and elapsed time to enter selected targets into an on-screen list box. Superior throughput was demonstrated for a VCS method that combined three symbol coding levels on the same display. Performance was generally poorest for a VCS method combining color and monochrome formats within the same symbol set. Practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Single and Combined Visual Distance Cues
Authors: Elliott Kelly G. , Davis Elizabeth T. , King Robert A. , Fujawa Greg E.
Published: January 2012

This study investigated the pictorial cues of relative size, relative height, and relative brightness to determine their effects on distance perception. In Experiment 1, we systematically examined (1) the effectiveness and accuracy of each visual cue tested in isolation; (2) whether the forced-choice rating paradigm provides more sensitive measures than those obtained using a simple 2AFC paradigm; (3) whether ROC slopes obtained from the forced-choice rating data are equal to one, as assumed by Signal Detection Theory (SDT); and (4) how the relative effectiveness of each cue may change when the cues are combined to provide consistent or conflicting distance information. A method of constant stimuli procedure was used for each block of trials. Subjects were presented with simulated gray square objects within a visual scene and reported which of two squares appeared closer. For single cues, both relative size and relative height were more effective than relative brightness. The forced-choice rating paradigm was not significantly more sensitive than the 2AFC paradigm, although it did allow us to test some SDT predictions. For combined cues, we found that the relative effectiveness of a given cue in combination with other cues cannot necessarily be predicted from single cue data. These results have implications not only for developing more rigorous and comprehensive models of human spatial perception but also for designing more efficient and effective 3D environments.
Subjective Image Quality Evaluation of Image Compression Techniques
Authors: Wen Cathlyn Y. , Beaton Robert J.
Published: January 2012

Image compression reduces the amount of data in digital images and, therefore, allows efficient storage, processing, and transmission of pictorial information. However, compression algorithms can degrade image quality by introducing artifacts, which may be unacceptable for users' tasks.

This work examined the subjective effects of JPEG and wavelet compression algorithms on a series of medical images. Six digitized chest images were processed by each algorithm at various compression levels. Twelve radiologists rated the perceived image quality of the compressed images relative to the corresponding uncompressed images, as well as rated the acceptability of the compressed images for diagnostic purposes.

The results indicate that subjective image quality and acceptability decreased with increasing compression levels; however, all images remained acceptable for diagnostic purposes. At high compression ratios, JPEG compressed images were judged less acceptable for diagnostic purposes than the wavelet compressed images. These results contribute to emerging system design guidelines for digital imaging workstations.
Dual-Task Performance as a Function of Individual Alarm Validity and Alarm System Reliability Information
Authors: Bliss James P. , Jeans Sonya M. , Prioux Heidi J.
Published: January 2012

Researchers and designers have investigated ways to mitigate the consequences of alarm mistrust, including using redundant information sources to ensure response consistency. Research concerning the benefit of this practice has not considered the operator's prior alarm system knowledge, or the division of attention among multiple tasks. We investigated the influence of real-time individual alarm validity information and prior alarm system reliability information on primary and alarm task responses. One hundred undergraduate students performed a continuous compensatory tracking task while responding to microcomputer-based alarms. Dependent measures included alarm response frequency, speed, accuracy, and appropriateness, and primary task tracking error. Results indicated that participants with real-time alarm validity information responded less frequently, but more appropriately than those without such information. Participants with prior access to alarm system reliability information responded more frequently than those without such information. The results are discussed as they apply to prior literature and alarm system design.
The Mueller-Lyer Illusion Produced by Features in Maps
Authors: Schmidt William , Gillan Douglas J.
Published: January 2012

Maps consist of lines converging onto line segments. These converging lines resemble elements of the Mueller-Lyer illusion (MLEs) which cause map readers to overestimate the length of a road segment (if the lines go outward from the end of the segment) or underestimate the length (if the lines go inward from the end of the segment) (Gillan, Schmidt, & Hanowski, 1996). The present experiment investigates whether a similar effect occurs when place names converge on a road segment. Subjects estimated road segments framed by outward-going MLEs made up of place names to be significantly longer than road segments framed by inward-going MLEs. The type of characters in the place names (English characters vs. symbols) and requiring subjects to locate the road segment by the names in the MLE had no effect on the degree of misestimation induced. The implications of these findings for a variety of displays are discussed.
The Human Factors of Conducting Field Research: Lessons Learned from the Evaluation of T-NASA
Authors: Andre Anthony D. , Hooey Becky L.
Published: January 2012

This papers discusses the human factors of conducting field research, within the context of a recent field evaluation of a new aircraft taxi navigation and situation awareness (T-NASA) system developed at NASA Ames Research Center. Several critical issues that were confronted in the process of the field evaluation effort are presented, followed by an account of how these issues were resolved. From these experiences, guidelines concerning both the objectives and methods of field evaluations are provided to assist researchers in their future field evaluation efforts.
Designing Synthetic Tasks for Human Factors Research: An Application to Uninhabited Air Vehicles
Authors: Martin Elizabeth , Lyon Don R. , Schreiber Brian T.
Published: January 2012

Research from different laboratories could be compared more easily if a common set of research tasks were used. Such tasks should be amenable to controlled laboratory research, yet the results should generalize to important real-world tasks. In this paper, we describe the design of synthetic tasks, which are research tasks constructed by systematic abstraction from a corresponding real-world task. We present as an example a laboratory task (the cloud-break task) derived from a particularly demanding part of the reconnaissance mission of the USAF Predator uninhabited air vehicle. We describe potential pitfalls in decoupling a synthetic task from its normal mission context, and discuss some lessons learned from a preliminary design study.
Evaluation of a New Cockpit Device: The Integrated Electronic Information System
Authors: Shamo Marcia Kuskin , Dror Ravit , Degani Asaf
Published: January 2012

In spite of the well-recognized need for complete, accurate, and timely information in the cockpit environment, no computerized information system has been successfully introduced to the commercial flight deck. We suggest that two factors — information integration and multiple search mechanisms — may be identified as necessary characteristics for a viable electronic information system for the cockpit. The use of an information system which incorporated information integration and multiple search mechanisms was examined during an evaluation of the system at a major US airline. During the controlled experiment segment of the evaluation, subjects performed two sets of similar information retrieval and performance calculation tasks using the system and using traditional paper manuals; response accuracy and task execution time served as the dependent variables. Results showed that for both information retrieval and performance calculations, task execution with the integrated information system was significantly faster and had fewer errors than did task execution using paper manuals. Possible reasons for improved performance are discussed.
Reach Envelopes of Older Adults
Authors: Molenbroek Johan F.M.
Published: January 2012

This research concerns arm reach capabilities of the ageing population. In this investigation, “comfortable” and “maximum” standing and sitting, reach envelopes were measured for 627 healthy older adults of 50–94 and 123 younger adults (20–30 year). Each person drew lines corresponding to their “comfortable” and “maximum” reach from standing and sitting position on vertical and horizontal boards, respectively. The lines drawn were video taped and the video tapes were manually digitised at 15 degrees intervals to provide data which may be used by designers to ensure older adults are able to function optimally within the built environment.
Changes in the Performance of a Synthetic Work Task as a Function of Age, Gender, and Sleep Deprivation
Authors: Nesthus Thomas E. , Scarborough Alfretia L. , Schroeder David J.
Published: January 2012

A 34-hour sleep-loss study was conducted as part of a larger Department of Transportation-Federal Aviation Administration (DOT/FAA) fatigue research program to assess the ability of traditional and innovative measures to track drowsiness and fatigue. Twenty-seven subjects were grouped by age and gender, and randomly paired for weekend testing. Performance testing using a synthetic work task was completed 4, 10, 16, 22, 28, and 34 hr after waking at 6 am. The pattern of significant effects indicated that performance changes were associated with age, gender, and sleep loss. Significant age differences were found across sessions for a number of measures. Generally, the younger group demonstrated better overall performance than the older group; however, the performance of the younger group declined across sessions while the older group's performance remained relatively stable. Like previous research, the complex, time-sharing, synthetic work-task may have contributed to the age group differences. Two simple cognitive and psychomotor tasks also used in this study showed a significant age-related difference in only one measure. A better tolerance to the sleep-loss condition may explain the stable performance of the older group across sessions. Gender differences occurred during the latter sessions for several measures. The younger female group demonstrated the most significant decline in task performance across the last three sessions, presumably due to sleep loss-induced fatigue.
Team Coordination and Breakdowns in a Real-Life Stressful Environment
Authors: Xiao Yan , Mackenzie Colin F. , Patey Rhona ,   LOTAS Group
Published: January 2012

This paper describes a study of team coordination and its breakdowns in a complex and dynamic work environment. Sixteen videotaped cases of real-life trauma patient resuscitation in a trauma center's patient admitting areas were analyzed. The findings from the study suggest that highly skilled work teams used a variety of ways to coordinate, many of which were non-verbal and implicit. Breakdowns in coordination occurred in several stressful situations, and the lack of explicit, verbal communications could be a major contributing factor. The paper characterizes the situations where coordination breakdowns were observed, and recommends that the team training be targeted at those situations where verbal communications are essential yet team coordination is prone to breakdowns.
Automation Bias and Errors: Are Teams Better than Individuals?
Authors: Mosier Kathleen L. , Dunbar Melisa , McDonnell Lori , Skitka Linda J. , Burdick Mark , Rosenblatt Bonnie
Published: January 2012

A series of recent studies has identified two classes of errors that commonly emerge in highly automated decision environments: (1) omission errors, defined as failures to respond to system irregularities or events because automated devices fail to detect or indicate them; and (2) commission errors, which occur when people incorrectly follow an automated directive or recommendation, without verifying it against other available information, or in spite of contra-indications from other sources of information. These errors are hypothesized to be the result of “automation bias,” the use of automation as a heuristic replacement for vigilant information seeking and processing. Two concurrent studies, using students and professional pilots as participants, demonstrated the persistence of automation bias in crews compared with solo performers, despite display enhancements and explicit training to verify automated functioning. Training that focused on automation bias and associated errors successfully reduced omission errors in students. Pilot performance during the experimental legs was most highly predicted by performance on the control leg and by event importance. The previously found “phantom memory” phenomenon associated with a false engine fire event persisted in crews.
Team CTA Applications and Methodologies
Authors: Klinger David , Thordsen Marvin
Published: January 2012

In today's complex environments, teamwork is essential for mission success. The sheer bulk of near real time information that is available to the decision maker has made it necessary for multiple individuals to work in parallel to ensure proficient performance. A perfect example is the Landing Signal Officer (LSO) onboard Navy aircraft carriers. In the past, aircraft were waved onto the deck by an individual with a pair of paddles. In contrast, landing an aircraft on a carrier today involves a minimum of 8 to 10 individuals. The challenge now is to design new systems and/or interfaces not only for the individual tasks but also for a team of individuals who are trying to function together as a team. There are established Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) methodologies which have provided a set of methodologies for eliciting specific knowledge regarding the decision requirements of the individual. Now, Team CTA is a developing methodology for gathering information about the way a team makes decisions and the way it manages itself (Klein, 1997). Team CTA addresses the cognitive processes of team performance much the way individual CTA methodologies have studied the single operator. Because of its focus on the cognitive processes, Team CTA will be most useful where the performance depends on decision making and judgments, rather than carrying out routine tasks and procedures.
Real World Decision Making Styles and Their Consequences
Authors: McGrew John F.
Published: January 2012

The decision style of managers in applied settings were evaluated by raters. Two decision styles were identified, the socio-political and the data analytic. The consequences of these two decision styles were shown by evolving them in a cellular automata. The socio-political decision style produced unstable decisions. The data analytic decision style produced stable decisions.
Developing Design Requirements from Cognitive Task Data: Replacing Magic with Methodology
Authors: Hale Christopher R. , Rowe Anna L.
Published: January 2012

This symposium addresses the challenge of translating user data to specifications suitable for interface development. Four methodologies will be presented: Decision requirements tables, ecological interface design, object-view and interaction design and procedural networks. These four methodologies will be contrasted relative to three dimensions: (1) type of data used in analysis, (2) point in the design process at which each methodology focuses its impact and (3) the formalisms each uses for translating psychological data into engineering data suitable for specification development. Our introductory remarks will elaborate on these three dimensions, and present an example design problem. The four session participants then will present their respective methodologies, how each addresses the three dimensions and how each can be used to address the example design problem.
User Interface Design with OVID
Authors: Isensee Scott , Roberts Dave , Berry Dick , Mullaly John
Published: January 2012

Object-oriented (OO) code design methodologies such as Booch, Schlaer-Mellor, Rumbaugh, and OMT have become very popular and have proven effective tools for software development. User interface design, on the other hand, is often done without a formal methodology. Ad hoc approaches typically produce designs which are incomplete, do not fully meet user requirements, and are not in a form which is easy for the programming team to translate into code.

Object, View, and Interaction Design (OVID) addresses the needs to improve the quality and efficiency of user interface design. We apply many of the tools and techniques used in OO code design to the domain of user interface design. OVID brings rigor to the interface design process and produces output which feeds directly into code design.

In this paper, we describe the OVID methodology and show examples of how it could be applied to designing an IT system to provide desktop and network support services to small businesses. The other methodologies discussed in the panel session will use the same design exercise for comparative purposes.
Varieties of Representational Forms: Towards Designing an Information Infrastructure for an Organization
Authors: Jones Patricia M. , Chin Greta W.
Published: January 2012

This paper discusses the use of a variety of representations to analyze work in a complex organizational setting. We emphasize the forms we chose for different purposes and show how they informed design of a prototype information infrastructure.
Dimensions Affecting Web Site Identity
Authors: Omanson Richard C. , Cline June A. , Kilpatrick Carol E. , Dunkerton Mark C.
Published: January 2012

Within large sites, Web users are often unaware when they have moved to a different site. Two experiments are reported that examine Web site dimensions influencing judgments a visitor makes regarding site identity. In experiment 1, users were asked which dimensions they used to make site identity judgments. These dimensions include: logos, navigation, page layout, background, type style, topic, heading, and graphics. In experiment 2, regression analyses were used to identify which dimensions were used the most effectively. Differences were noted for experienced versus inexperienced users and for Web pages that were on the same site versus different site.
The Usefulness of Icons on the Computer Interface: Effect of Graphical Abstraction and Functional Representation on Experienced and Novice Users
Authors: Stotts Daniel Brandon
Published: January 2012

Icons have become a main component of interface design (Familant & Detweiler, 1993). This study examined functional representation and graphical abstraction components of icons using experienced and novice computer users. Current interface (e.g. word processing) icons were evaluated in a search and select paradigm. Experienced participants were faster and more accurate than novice participants. Functionally representative and graphically concrete icons were recognized faster and more accurately than functionally arbitrary and graphically abstract icons, respectively. Experienced participants were affected more by graphical abstraction than novice participants. Graphically concrete and functionally representative icons were recognized faster than any other type of icon in the study. These data suggest when creating icons, the icons should be made to look as much like the object of reference as possible.
Comparison of Three Display Methodologies for Battlefield Resource Management
Authors: Mountjoy Daniel N. , Ntuen Celestine A. , Yarbrough Philip L.
Published: January 2012

As the Army prepares to move into the next century, it is exploring advances in technology that will enable U.S. military forces to obtain more complete data regarding its mission, enemy and friendly troop locations, weather, and target status. Not only will this data be more accurate, it will be collected and transmitted in near real-time. Advanced displays must be developed that allow commanders to efficiently deal with large volumes of data so that effective decisions can be made in a timely manner. This paper describes an experiment comparing three methods of displaying battlefield resources and unit mobility: (1) a combination of alphanumerics and standard Army decision graphics, (2) a configural display (CD) representation, and (3) an associative configural display representation (ACD). Results indicate that performance benefits are realized from both the CD and ACD representations, but the CD proved to be the best overall.
Comparison of Surface to Indwelling Extrinsic Finger Muscle EMG during use of Computer Pointing Devices
Authors: Jacobson Melissa , Rempel David , Martin Bernard , Keir Peter , Dennerlein Jack
Published: January 2012

Differences between indwelling and surface electromyography (EMG) were quantified by simultaneously recording extrinsic muscle activity of the index finger (flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), extensor indicis proprius (EIP), and extensor digitorum communis (EDC)) in a laboratory-based study. Eleven subjects performed computer-related pointing and dragging tasks using a mouse, pen and tablet, touchpad, and trackball. Surface electrodes poorly estimated FDP activity as demonstrated by low and variable cross-correlation values (0.47–0.64) and variable, high estimated error (RMS difference=11–46%MVC). Surface electrodes estimated FDS activity well (cross-correlation=0.79; RMS difference=11%MVC) when hand and forearm posture changes were minimized. Differences in forearm supination and pronation reduced the quality of FDS muscle activity estimation. Surface electrodes estimated EIP and EDC activity well with high cross-correlation values (0.77–0.84) and low RMS differences (8–12%MVC). Surface EMG can be used to assess EIP and EDC activity, and FDS activity when posture changes are minimized, during pointing device tasks. Surface EMG does not accurately assess FDP activity.
Pictorial Navigation Aids for Electronic Picture Displays on Digital Cameras
Authors: Prabhu Prasad , Miller Michael , Bussi Carolyn , Bartoo Sarah
Published: January 2012

Many of today's digital cameras allow the user to review the pictures they have captured on an LCD on the back of the camera. These cameras are capable of storing numerous pictures which the user may navigate through to share ideas, concepts, or memories with others. In this paper we present two graphical user interface concepts that were designed to provide navigation aids on Kodak digital cameras. A study is described which utilized prototypes to test the concepts before they were implemented into a product. This usability study allowed the designers to select optimal parameters for these navigation aids, including recommended picture sizes and the number of pictures to be displayed within a navigation aid that is based on a film strip metaphor.
Representative Bivariate Percentiles for Anthropometric Design
Authors: Kreifeldt J. G.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents graphs which simplify the task of selecting bivariate anthropometric dimensional combinations which are to be representative of the design population. Data for the graphs are based on defining bivariate percentile pairs in a manner modeled after the techniques of defining univariate percentiles. The charts are presented in “Z” format and assume that the bivariate data are normally distributed. The charts and the method of defining bivariate percentile combinations should be of use in many areas of anthropometric design and evaluation including defining representative computer implemented manikins.
Comprehensibility of Pharmaceutical Pictorials among People with Mental Retardation
Authors: Silver N. Clayton , Basin Mitchell G. , Sexton Carey A. , Fabbi Jennifer L.
Published: January 2012

The present study assessed the comprehensibility of pharmaceutical pictorials that are often seen on prescription medication bottles. A total of 30 individuals with mental retardation living in semi-independent environments were asked to provide responses concerning the pictorial connotation. Results indicated that only three of the 42 pictorials presented were within the acceptable range of the ISO 67% comprehension criterion. These pictorials connoted “take with water”, “do not drink alcohol”, and “poison”. None achieved the ANSI 85% comprehension criterion. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in comprehension between those who were taking the medication with bottles that displayed the corresponding pictorial and those who did not. The forensic implications and relevance concerning hazard communication are discussed.
Unsolved Problem: Acceptance of Human Reliability Analysis
Authors: Blackman Harold S. , Byers James C.
Published: January 2012

The practice and application of human reliability analysis (HRA) have long been controversial among human factors' professionals. The controversy has centered on quantification, lack of data, and the proper view of the human in the system. Benefits of structured HRA techniques, such as increased understanding of tasks, and of the conditions that produce errors, have often been ignored. With the increased emphasis on risk-based management and regulation we see this as a problem that must be solved to further our discipline's contribution to society. The problem can be attacked by: establishing what can make HRA legitimate in the eyes of HFES members, reviewing HRA methodologies for appropriateness and developing new methods with current concerns in mind, and developing good HRA data to support HRA judgments. The problem is not only tractable, but easily solved with cooperation, understanding, learning, and resources.
Strategies for Winning Sbirc Awards
Authors: Hennessy Robert T.
Published: January 2012

Each year, two and one-half percent of all federal extramural research dollars are set aside for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program by ten federal agencies. For 1998 this amounts to over one billion dollars. Any small business entity, from one person up to five hundred, can apply for an SBIR award. Phase one awards range from $50,000 to $100,000 for six to nine months. Phase II awards range from $300,000 to $750,000 for two years. This paper describes several ways for enhancing the chances for getting both Phase I and Phase II awards gives sources for information about the SBIR program.
Making Effective Contributions to Product Design and Development
Authors: Suri Jane Fulton
Published: January 2012

To work effectively as a consultant in a product development program, the human factors practitioner needs to work effectively with other professionals including product and marketing managers; software, electrical, and mechanical engineers; interaction and industrial designers. Drawing upon examples and experience from several product development programs, the paper considers ways of improving effectiveness including building relationships with colleagues, scoping issues to be addressed, selecting methods for the time available, and communicating with product development team members.
Multivariate Statistical Methods Applied to Sizing and Fit Testing
Authors: Taylor Stacie E.
Published: January 2012

The difficulty of developing accurate sizing charts for clothing or equipment is often underestimated. Typically, designers intend for the item to fit a specific range of people. However, accommodation ofthat range is not always achieved. Fit testing is an important part of the design process that allows collection of data where the item is actually tried on and used by people, instead of mannequins. Multivariate statistical procedures are the proper analytic techniques for investigating this fit test data. Multivariate methods are used because univariate tests can cause designers to correct a “problem” fit area, leading to possibly more problems, instead of identifying important variable combinations which may be the true fit problem. Some of these multivariate statistical methods include principal component analysis (PCA), discriminant analysis (DA), Euclidean distance matrix analysis (EDMA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and multivariate regression analysis (MRA). This paper discusses why and when to use these techniques and illustrates some of them with case studies.
Lessons of Chernobyl and Beyond: Creation of the Safety Culture in Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Meshkati Najmedin
Published: January 2012

Global security and sustainability are hostages to nuclear safety. Without nuclear safety, in this era of proliferating nuclear weapons, global security will be a dream; and in a world with 58 still operating Soviet-designed nuclear power reactors, sustainability will only be a mirage. According a Russian official, all the commercial nuclear reactors operating on Russian territory are nothing better than “bombs temporarily generating electricity.” The share of energy generation of these reactors in their respective countries is rather significant; and in the short run, their closure and replacement are neither realistic nor economically feasible. Human and organizational factors play a vital role in the safety of complex, large-scale technological systems. Fortunately, these days, this fact has been almost universally recognized, although not necessarily fully incorporated into the operation, by the nuclear industry around the world. In order to improve the safety problems of nuclear power, we need to improve the safety culture of this industry and proactively address human and organizational-related factors. To keep the nuclear Genie bottled around the world, we need genuine international cooperation and coordination among equipment manufacturers, operating companies, operators' unions, regulatory agencies, international organizations, scientific and research communities, and affected governments
The Path to Airline Employment: Flight Experience and Performance in a Full-Mission Flight Simulation
Authors: Bramble William J. , Koonce Jefferson M.
Published: January 2012

Commercial pilots were studied in order to determine whether systematic relationships existed between composition of flight experience and performance deficiencies during a performance evaluation in a flight simulator. Flight experience variables included: (a) multi-engine (ME) time, (b) Part 121/135 time, (c) instrument time, and (d) percentage of flight hours acquired as an instructor. A composite performance measure was generated by summing evaluator ratings across all eight phases of flight and all four task categories. Separate measures were generated from the evaluation rating form for each phase of flight and each task category as well. Errors were most common during the approach, arrival, and holding phases of flight. Errors involving control and navigation were more frequent than errors involving communication or configuration. Correlational methods were used to analyze relationships between experience and overall performance. Only ME and Part 121/135 time contributed significantly to prediction of performance in the simulator ( R = 0.42, p < 0.001). ME and Part 121/135 flight experience were associated with better performance during the arrival and approach phases of flight and with better aircraft control. ME experience was uniquely associated with better performance during the holding phase of flight and with configuration and navigation performance. Part 121/135 experience were uniquely associated with better performance during the takeoff and enroute phases of flight and with superior communication. Implications for pilot selection are discussed.
Task-Induced Stress and Individual Differences in Coping
Authors: Matthews Gerald , Campbell Sian E.
Published: January 2012

Coping is an important aspect of operator stress: people use various strategies for dealing with potentially stressful task demands. This paper outlines two studies of a new instrument designed for human factors applications, the Coping Inventory for Task Stress (CITS). Factor analysis of coping items differentiated three aspects of coping specified by stress theory: task-focus, emotion-focus and avoidance. Patterns of coping appear to reflect both task demands and individual differences in perceptions of workload. Relationships between coping and other stress-related variables were investigated in a study of subjects who performed a rapid visual information processing task. Task-focus and avoidance were sensitive to experimentally-manipulated task factors: time pressure and negative feedback. Coping also related to personality factors, as well as to the external pressures of the task. At a practical level, assessment of coping may contribute to understanding of how operators cope effectively or ineffectively with a variety of task-related stressors, leading to a more informed choice of countermeasures for stress.
Building a Low Back Injury Risk Classifier Using Evolutionary Computation
Authors: Carnahan Brian J. , Redfern Mark S.
Published: January 2012

Injury risk models can play a key role in ergonomic worksite analysis directed at preventing low back disorders. Such models can be used to classify lifting tasks as having the same characteristics as those tasks which have had a high (or low) incidence rate of back injuries. Two evolutionary computation techniques (genetic algorithms GA, and genetic programming GP) were used to construct low back injury risk models. A GA model, GP model, logistic regression model, and an artificial neural network were constructed and tested using 235 documented lifting task cases. Results indicated that the evolutionary approaches were superior to the other models in terms of classification performance and parsimony.
The Load of Perceptual Indifference in Human Cognition of Load Heaviness in Manual Lifting Tasks
Authors: Karwowski Waldemar
Published: January 2012

This main objective of this study was to introduce and investigate the concept of load of perceptual indifference (LPI) for assessment of load heaviness in manual lifting tasks. The loads of perceptual indifference were defined as those box weights which would result in the same values of subjective compatibility scores for a given pair of perceptual categories of load heaviness. At the point of indifference, the loads are perceived as to be acceptable, safe or not-too-heavy with an equal strength as the loads judged to be too-heavy for continuous lifting. The linguistic magnitude estimation (LME) method (Karwowski, 1990) was used for experimental and modeling purposes. This allowed to develop a quantitative model for the human assessment of four categories of lifted loads of interest. The results indicate that the lack of cognitive benchmark introduces inconsistency in subjects perception of load acceptability and safety compared to the concept of to-heavy load. In order to overcome this problem, a new research approach to manual lifting tasks is needed, based on the integration of cognitive engineering, active psychophysics and ecological approach.
Level of Joint Optimization
Authors: Grenville N. Delia , Kleiner Brian M.
Published: January 2012

The macroergonomic construct of joint optimization was operationally defined as time allotment to the personnel and technological subsystems in a laboratory quality inspection experiment. Individual and group performance as well as perceived level of joint optimization were measured for each treatment condition. The experiment was organized as a one-factor between subjects design with six levels: 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% allotted to the technological subsystem. While there were no significant differences in individual performance due to the amount of time allotted to tasks in the technical or social subsystems, differences did occur at the group performance level. Overall, the results of the study are encouraging and suggest there may be a cause and effect relationship between time allotment and level of joint optimization and performance in the technical subsystem.
Measuring the Impact of Work Environment Change Programs: A Systems Approach
Authors: Robertson Michelle M. , Robertson Michelle M. , Robinson Marie , O'Neill Michael , Sless Julie
Published: January 2012

To understand and address multi-causal work and organizational problems associated with intensive office technologies environments, a macroergonomic approach is taken incorporating a systems analysis tool and process. This paper describes the application of a systems analysis model, coupled with research and case study findings derived from a macroergonomic framework to provide a process for developing and evaluating strategic and systematic solutions. An Economic Advantage analysis is used to evaluate and determine the cost/benefits of each proposed alternative or program solution based on direct and indirect costs and compensation. The benefit of this systems analysis model is the integration of micro and macro-ergonomic approaches for solving organizational problems. Work environment change programs implemented by companies that incorporate a macroergonomic, systems approach demonstrate positive results in minimizing negative health effects based on financial and indirect costs and improved employee and business unit effectiveness.
Using Site-Based Techniques to Evolve the Product Development Process in Manufacturing Industries
Authors: Wiebe Eric N.
Published: January 2012

Many manufacturing industries, especially small to medium-sized companies, are in the process of exploring the move from two-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) technologies to three-dimensional CAD tools interfaced with product data management (PDM) systems. For many companies, their current organizational structure is not well suited to fully leverage the capabilities of new CAD/PDM technology. This paper explores the author's experiences working in the residential furniture industry, helping companies successfully integrate CAD/PDM systems into their engineering and manufacturing operations. Of particular focus was the role user-centered, site-based techniques played in helping one company with this integration process. Both current and future scenarios based on an in-depth analysis of the product developed process were generated and used to help guide an implementation plan for a new CAD/PDM system.
The Circadian Change of Stature for Young Korean Men
Authors: Nah Keoun
Published: January 2012

Anthropometric data is indispensable for designing consumer products and work spaces for human users. However, there exists variability of anthropometric data between both races and genders. The dimensions and proportions of a human body change as one ages. Some variables even fluctuate in the span of a day such as stature, weight, and foot volume. The circadian change of stature has been overlooked (except space industry) in general application of anthropometric data. This study investigated the circadian change of stature for a homogeneous group, young Korean men (ages 23–25 years old). A statistical analysis showed that the decrease in stature depended on only the elapsed time of a day not on one's weight or stature. An exponential function describing the pattern of the daily change of stature over time was also developed. Finally this paper proposes a better way for collecting the stature data.
Behavioral Response to the Presence of Personal Protective Equipment: Implications for Risk Compensation
Authors: Braun Curt C. , Foust Jason W.
Published: January 2012

The current study examined the relationship between personal protective equipment (PPE) and compensatory behavior. One hundred ten undergraduate students acted as novice soccer goalies and were randomly placed in one of three groups: with PPE, without PPE, and with/without PPE. Risk was assessed by measuring the distance between a soccer kicker and the goalie. Participants in the first two groups who received only one PPE condition placed the kicker at similar distances. Participants in group three who experienced both PPE conditions moved the kicker significantly closer when PPE was provided. Although the difference between the PPE conditions in group three was significant, only half of the participants in this group moved the kicker closer when PPE was provided. These findings are consistent with previous studies (Streff and Geller, 1988; Stetzer and Hoffman, 1996) and support the idea that PPE produces compensatory behavior in some individuals.
Perceived Risks and Injuries Associated with Non-Use of the Manual Lap Belt in Motorized Shoulder Belt Restraint Systems
Authors: Lovvoll David R.
Published: January 2012

An experiment was conducted in order to explore some of the perceived risks associated with automatic shoulder belt/manual lap belt restraint systems used without buckling the manual lap belt. Participants viewed videotaped clips that combined sequences of a person entering a car and using or not using the active component of the restraint system followed by an accident. Participants were then asked to estimate the severity of injury likely suffered by a person who was involved in that accident given the seat belt use they viewed. Participants did not perceive large differences in injury severity between scenarios when the manual lap belt was used and when it was not used. Additionally, participants seemed relatively unaware of the risks of submarining and ejection when the manual lap belt was not used.