bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Versatile Program for the Analysis of Electromyographic Data
Authors: Fethke Nathan B. , Anton Daniel C. , Fuller Helen , Cook Thomas M.
Published: January 2012

Ergonomists and researchers often utilize electromyographic (EMG) recordings to produce estimates of muscular work load in occupational exposure assessment. Prolonged measurements, possible with recent technological advances in portable data acquisition and compact memory storage technologies, require efficient data reduction methods not always available in commercial software packages. The Iowa EMG Analysis Program (IEAP) was created to provide researchers the means to incorporate multiple processing techniques suited for the analysis of prolonged EMG measurements. IEAP currently includes subroutines to calculate the amplitude probability distribution function, exposure variation analysis, clustered exposure variation analysis, and gaps analysis profiles for up to four channels of root-mean-square processed EMG data. Data management functions include the creation of customized hypertext markup language (HTML) documentation and text files able to seamlessly incorporate analysis results into existing statistical software packages. IEAP is a powerful EMG analysis tool ideally suited for ergonomists and researchers involved in occupational ergonomics studies.
Search Space Reduction via Multi-Sensory Directional Cueing
Authors: Brill J. Christopher , Terrence Peter I. , Downs Joshua L. , Gilson Richard D. , Hancock Peter A. , Mouloua Mustapha
Published: January 2012

Spatial tactile displays allow for the cueing of directional information without drawing upon the visual and auditory channels. This work highlights the effectiveness of a tactual display versus a spatial auditory display baseline for augmenting a visual search task. Touch provides highly salient and covert signals that narrow the visual search space, potentially shortening response times, improving accuracy, and imposing minimal additional demand upon visual and auditory channels. Applications of this display technology for spatial location of targets include acquisition of potential threats in simulated and real combat environments, as well as improved localization of objects for first responders or for those with sensory impairments.
Keyboard Shape and Arrangement Effects on Keyboard Design Elements
Authors: O'Brien Marita A.
Published: January 2012

The present study investigated the effects of different keyboard shapes and letter arrangements to determine the optimum design for text entry with a rotary controller. Few research studies have examined keyboard shapes to determine the criteria that are most relevant for non-standard input devices. This study included examination of both visual search and movement control aspects of text entry. Older and younger participants moved a knob on a rotary controller from a start position to a target position on four different keyboard shapes. These participants also searched for a target symbol on three different arrangements of letters, numbers, and punctuation marks on one of the same keyboard shapes as the movement trials. Results from the younger adults in both experiments are discussed in this study, along with early results from several older adults.
Task Coordination Skill: The Effects of Age and Training Type in Relationship Integration
Authors: McLaughlin Anne Collins , Nichols Timothy A.
Published: January 2012

Throughout the lifespan, humans need to understand complex relationships between environmental cues. These may be perceptual-motor cues, such as operating an input device, or cognitively oriented, such as understanding how exercise and food intake affect and interact with the body's blood sugar level. Past research has shown age-related differences in the ability to integrate cues: younger adults integrate related task components better than unrelated components while older adults perform the same for low and high relatedness (Korteling, 1991, 1993). What remains to be discovered is whether different types of training affect performance with different amounts of cue relation. Our prediction is that augmenting relationships of the cues during task will produce higher performance when task cues are interrelated. Simplifying the task (showing fewer relationships at one time) will produce higher performance when the cues are unrelated. We expect to uncover age-related differences for conditions when task and training type are mismatched. The results of this study should provide insight into cognitive skill acquisition and appropriate training methods for older adults.
Passenger and Cell-Phone Conversations in Simulated Driving
Authors: Drews Frank A. , Pasupathi Monisha , Strayer David L.
Published: January 2012

Previous work on use of cell phones while driving compared cell phone conversations while driving with driving only conditions. This study investigated how conversing on a cell phone differs from conversing with a passenger. Participants conversed about close-call situations they experienced. We compared how well drivers followed task instructions when driving only, when driving and conversing on a cell phone, and when driving and conversing with a passenger. The results show that the number of driving errors was highest in the cell-phone condition. Analyzing the conversations we found that in passenger conversations more references were made to traffic and more turn taking followed those references than in cell phone conversations. The results show that passenger conversations differ from cell phone conversations because the surrounding traffic becomes a topic of the conversation, helping driver and passenger to share situation awareness, and mitigating the potential effects of conversation on driving.
The Effect of Hands-Free Cellular Telephone Conversation Complexity on Choice Response Time in a Detection Task
Authors: Al-Tarawneh Ibraheem S. , Cohen William J. , Trachtman Doris , Krauss David A. , Bishu Ram R.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents the results of a study addressing the effect of hands-free cellular phone conversation complexity on choice response time in a detection task. The study utilized an open-loop simulation technique to study four different levels of the secondary task of using a hands-free cellular telephone and their effect on the primary task of responding to stimuli presented through a driving scene. Results from the study showed that the inclusion of the secondary task had a significant effect on choice response time. Also, choice response time associated with complex conversations involving visual scanning was found to be significantly different from that when the phone was not used. The implications of the use of hands-free phones are also discussed.
Driving with the Traditional Viewed-Through-the-Steering Wheel Cluster vs. the Forward-Center Mounted Instrument Cluster
Authors: Bhise Vivek D. , Dowd James D.
Published: January 2012

This paper reports a study conducted to evaluate the Traditional vs. the Center Mounted instrument cluster using a fixed base driving simulator. Twenty-four drivers (12 tall males and 12 short females) drove six laps on a freeway driving course. After familiarization with the simulator, the drivers were randomly assigned to drive first three laps with one cluster location, and then they drove the next three laps with the cluster mounted in the second location. In each lap, the drivers performed 16 tasks in pre-selected random orders. The tasks involved increasing or decreasing speeds to instructed target speeds, operating cruise controls and setting instructed speeds, reading gages, viewing mirrors and operating selected controls in the vehicle. The results of the study showed: 1) The driver's abilities to maintain speed and lateral position were significantly better (about 13% reduction in standard deviations of speed and lateral position) when driving with the center mounted cluster as compared to the traditional location. 2) The total number of eye glances made by the drivers in performing the tasks was not affected by the cluster location. 3) The drivers' preferences, after driving with both the clusters, however, were mixed–about half the drivers preferred the center cluster over the traditional cluster. 4) Older drivers had significantly larger standard deviations in both speed and lateral position than the younger drivers in using both the clusters.
Auditory In-Vehicle Routing and Navigation Systems and Facilitating Cognitive Map Development
Authors: Reagan Ian , Baldwin Carryl L. , Carpenter Ellen M.
Published: January 2012

Use of in-vehicle routing and navigational systems (IRANS) is on the rise. IRANS may place additional informational processing demands on drivers thus compromising safety. Driving requires extensive visual processing and therefore auditory route guidance (ARG) systems have important safety advantages. However, relative to visual guidance formats, little attention has been focused on the design components of ARG formats. The current investigation examined the relative impact of three different ARG formats (traditional, cardinal, and landmark) on drivers' ability to learn novel routes through unfamiliar areas in a driving simulator. Results indicated that the inclusion of salient landmark information in ARG instructions facilitated route learning ability for a majority of drivers, relative to traditional ARG information and the inclusion of cardinal directions. Application of these results has the potential to increase transportation safety by decreasing the attentional processing requirements and distraction cost of existing IRANS displays.
Cell Phones and Driving Performance: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Horrey William J. , Wickens Christopher D.
Published: January 2012

A meta-analysis was conducted to explore the costs associated with cell phone use while driving, using standardized measures of effect size along five dimensions (moderator variables) that were hypothesized to impact the costs associated with cell phone use. Sixteen studies (contributing a total of 37 analysis entries) met the appropriate conditions for the meta-analysis. Overall, there were clear costs to driving performance when drivers are engaged in cell phone conversations. However, investigation of moderator variables indicated that these costs were borne primarily by reaction time tasks, with far smaller costs associated with tracking (lane keeping) performance. Hands-free and hand-held phones revealed similar patterns of results, as did simulator versus field studies. Conversation tasks tended to show greater costs to performance than did information-processing tasks (e.g., word games). Finally, costs in driving performance were roughly equivalent whether the conversation was with a passenger or whether over a cell phone.
Effects of Age and Auditory and Visual Dual-Tasks on Closed Road Driving Performance
Authors: Chaparro Alex , Wood Joanne M. , Carberry Trent
Published: January 2012

The aim of this study was to understand how visual and auditory dual tasks impact upon the driving behavior of young and old participants. The effect of a secondary task on measures of driving performance including the recognition of road signs, detection and avoidance of large low contrast road hazards, judgment of cone gaps, and time to complete the course was assessed for young and older participants as they drove around a 5 km closed road driving course. The secondary task required participants to verbally report the sums of pairs of numbers presented either through a computer speaker (auditorially) or via a dashboard mounted monitor (visually) while driving. The results show that drivers reported fewer road signs, increased their time to complete the road course, and misjudged cone gaps more frequently under the dual-task (visual and auditory) conditions compared to the single task condition and these effects were greater for the older participants.
Physiological Methods and Measurements in Driving Simulation
Authors: Rizzo Matthew
Published: January 2012

Driving simulators provide a closely controlled environment for examining links between human physiology and behavior. Physiologic measurements in different driving tasks can assess body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, galvanic skin response, electroencephalographic activity, electromyography activity, gastric activity, eyelid closure (as an index of alertness and arousal), and eye movements (as an index of cognitive processing). Synchronous measures of driver physiology and performance in driving simulator scenarios can illuminate relationships between cognitive deficits and performance errors in drivers who lack awareness of self-impairment and environmental hazards. Demonstrations include falling asleep at the controls in drivers affected by cognitive overload, fatigue, prescription medicine or drug effects, or mental decline from brain disease.
The Influence of IVIS Distractions on Tactical and Control Levels of Driving Performance
Authors: Reyes Michelle L. , Lee John D.
Published: January 2012

Computer, software, telecommunications, and automotive companies have begun to develop In-Vehicle Information System (IVIS) functions despite the potential for these devices to distract drivers. A simulator study examined how the demands of an IVIS affected driver response in tactical and control braking conditions. The IVIS demands were manipulated according to multiple resource theory dimensions of processing code and stage. Drivers listened to and answered questions about messages containing information about restaurants. The findings show that verbal and spatial coding had little effect on driving performance, but responding to the messages degraded reaction time in the tactical braking conditions. These results suggest that particular consideration should be given to IVIS tasks that demand a response from the driver and that tactical rather than simply control driving performance merits attention in IVIS evaluation.
Faa Human Factors Workbench: Integration between Research and System Development
Authors: Piccione Dino , Hewitt Glen M. , Moertl Peter M.
Published: January 2012

The FAA Human Factors Workbench is an online resource providing integrated access to information in four areas for aviation human factors practitioners and researchers: Human Factors Process in FAA's system acquisitions, Human Factors Tools, Technical Reports, and Human Factors Awareness Training. The Workbench provides information addressing human factors goals in FAA systems, FAA's acquisition policy, and how to build a Human Factors Plan. Over 90 human factors tools have been assembled to support program planning, analysis, design, and evaluation activities. The Workbench provides access to human factors research products and technical reports published by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, the FAA Technical Center, as well as other government research offices, contractors, universities, and EUROCONTROL. The Human Factors Awareness Web Course provides basic human factors training. The Workbench supports the FAA's product teams, human factors practitioners, and researchers. The workbench is accessible at http://www.hf.faa.gov/Workbench/default.aspx
Comparing Generic vs. Specific Heuristics: Illustrating a New UEM Comparison Technique
Authors: Somervell Jacob , McCrickard D. Scott
Published: January 2012

Heuristic evaluation method comparison is important for developing new heuristic sets, to ensure effectiveness and utility. However, comparing different sets of heuristics requires a common baseline upon which a comparison can be made, usually some set of usability problems from a particular interface. This is often accomplished by having evaluators perform system evaluation to produce a set of usability problems for each method in question. A problem arises in that different methods produce different sets of problems, thus introducing validity concerns and ambiguity in resolution of disparate problem sets. We address this problem by illustrating a new comparison technique in which predetermined usability issues are presented to the evaluators up front, followed by assessment of thoroughness, reliability, and cost for the target methods. Comparison of method effectiveness is simplified, and validity concerns are ameliorated.
Extending and Incorporating Approaches from Traditional Intelligent Tutoring Systems Into Scenario-Based Training Systems
Authors: Buff Wendi L. , Campbell Gwendolyn E.
Published: January 2012

Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) have been successfully used for years in academic institutions. The military would like to leverage this capability in training simulators, however scenario-based training (SBT) differs from classroom instruction in significant ways. This symposium focuses on ITS methodological extensions that support SBT. The paper by Neville and her colleagues (2004) describes, among other things, why scenario-based training is important in military domains. The remaining papers in the symposium (Douglass, 2004; Mangos, 2004; Dorsey, White & Bolton, 2004) describe different ways of incorporating ITS concepts into SBT systems. While each paper describes a different system architecture / approach, all three systems focus on implementing two key capabilities of ITSs: student diagnosis and adaptive instruction. While most of the work discussed in this symposium is in a preliminary stage of development, the convergence of these two fields holds great promise for increasing military training effectiveness, as well as many opportunities for conducting future research.
Improving Pilots' Risk Management Behaviour Through Active Involvement During Training
Authors: Molesworth Brett R. , Wiggins Mark W.
Published: January 2012

The management of risk remains one of the most significant skills that pilots are expected to engage during aircraft operations. However, it is a skill that is seldom taught explicitly during aviation training. The present study sought to examine whether active involvement, and/or the provision of feedback during training, impacted behaviour during a simulated flight. Forty pilots were divided into groups so that some pilots flew the training flight in pairs, while others flew the flight as a single-pilot operation. Following training, half the participants received feedback concerning their performance. During a test flight, one week later, those participants who were actively involved in the flight displayed more risk averse behaviour in comparison to those participants who were simply co-pilots. Furthermore, the provision of feedback during training only appeared beneficial when pilots were able to recall similarities between the test flight and other flights that they had experienced.
Does Crew Resource Management (CRM) Training Work in Health Care?
Authors: Wilson-Donnelly Katherine A. , Burke C. Shawn , Salas Eduardo
Published: January 2012

Due to the success of CRM training in aviation at improving the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of trainees, CRM training has been adapted and implemented in a number of domains beyond aviation. In this paper, we chose to focus on the health care community's efforts because of the high risk and frequency of errors in this domain. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is threefold. First, we turned to the literature to identify and gather the training evaluation efforts being conducted in the health care community. Fifteen studies were identified. Next, we analyzed the research to determine the effectiveness of the CRM training efforts. As the effectiveness of training was not as positive as hoped, we conclude with several observations that may be hindering the effectiveness of their training efforts.
Simulator Sickness Results Obtainted During a Novice Driver Training Study
Authors: Park George , Rosenthal Theodore J. , Allen R. Wade , Cook Marcia L. , Fiorentino Dary , Viirre Erik
Published: January 2012

Simulator sickness results have been obtained in a novice driver training experiment with approximately 500 young drivers who have yet to receive their license to drive. Different participant groups were trained on three different PC based driving simulator configurations: 1) a single-monitor desktop unit, 2) a wide field-of-view three-monitor desktop unit, and 3) a wide field-of-view projected image with an instrumented cab. Simulation sickness ratings scores were obtained using a four-point rating scale provided to participants after each training trial. Between-subject effects were broken down according to the three simulator configuration types and gender across six training trial runs. Analysis for average vehicle velocity was also reported as it may have been related to simulator sickness. While the incidence of simulator sickness was quite small, participants using the single-monitor configuration unexpectedly reported the highest incidence of symptoms. Some gender differences were also found according to training trials. Possible explanations for the results are provided along with experience with high school driver education programs.
Assisted Viewpoint Control for Tele-Robotic Search
Authors: Hughes Stephen , Lewis Michael
Published: January 2012

Mixed-Initiative robotic systems have been successful with providing assistance for maneuvering a robot's position through a hazardous environment. However, providing assistance to resolve viewing parameters such as camera orientation have met with mixed results. Previous attempts, while effective at increasing the likelihood that key viewpoints are utilized, have met with strong dissatisfaction and struggles for control, overriding the some of the potential benefits of the automation. This study evaluates the effects of offloading the assistance to a separate, co-located video feed. The findings suggest that it is possible to provide assistance to viewpoint control without encroaching on the operator's threshold for desired control.
Evaluating Controller Use of Advanced Weather Products by Evaluating User Interaction Patterns
Authors: Friedman-Berg Ferne , Ahlstrom Ulf
Published: January 2012

We evaluated how Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) controllers interacted with advanced weather products when displayed on primary tactical radar displays or on auxiliary flat-panel displays. When we provide the controllers with access to appropriate weather tools, we potentially decrease workload and improve performance by increasing weather situational awareness (WSA). We assessed the benefit of providing weather information using Gantt charts to graphically depict user interaction patterns and by conducting an analysis of the frequency and duration of interactions with the weather tools. From these analyses, we identified two patterns of interacting with tools corresponding to heavy and light users. We correlated tool use with our measure of controller efficiency and found an increase in traffic throughput with increasing tool use. We also determined that the controllers were more likely to interact tactically with tools when placed on the Terminal Controller Workstation (TCW), turning them on when needed and turning them off when not needed. This method provides us with insight into how the controllers use the information on their displays to help provide them with tools to increase safety and efficiency.
The Contaminating Influence of Display Size on Flight Control, Risk Assessment, and Route Selection
Authors: Muthard Emily K.
Published: January 2012

The present experiment was designed to examine the effect of display size on distance estimates used for flight control and in assessing risk for route selection. Sixteen pilots were asked to select and fly along a route using integrated hazard and primary flight displays. Display size was manipulated by altering the physical size of a two-dimensional display and through axis compression in a three-dimensional display. Display minification resulted in poorer flight control. When the display was enlarged, pilots were found to overestimate the distance from the flight path to impending hazards and subsequently choose riskier routes. Pilots also exhibited greater confidence in their route choices with the large display, even though their choices were more dangerous. Results suggest that display size must be considered when designing displays for spatial tasks.
Using Terrain-depicting Primary Flight Displays for performing instrument-referenced tasks: Can we empirically test for ‘Equivalent level of safety’ ?
Authors: Beringer Dennis B. , Ball Jerry D.
Published: January 2012

A study was conducted to determine if primary flight displays (PFDs) depicting terrain could be used with a level of safety equivalent to electronic attitude-direction indicators (EADIs) without terrain. Five groups of 8 pilots each flew scenarios in a flight simulator using one of three PFDs with or without guidance cues. Performances of instrument-referenced maneuvers using the EADI were measured, followed by trials with an experimental format. Performance measures included initial response time, total recovery time, and control reversals. Traditional parametric analyses found no significant performance differences between groups. Analyses using confidence intervals to assess equivalence of distributions showed group performances were essentially the same. Pilot preferences were examined and are reported. It was concluded that the specific terrain representations did not reduce the level of safety for these specific maneuvers. This technique is recommended for applicants wishing to demonstrate a level of safety equivalent to existing systems.
Validation of an Objective Behaviorally-Based Usability Method for Real-Time Assessments
Authors: Raddatz Kimberly R. , Elgin Peter D. , Uhlarik John
Published: January 2012

Rapid increases in computer and data-link technology have resulted in revolutionary but complex displays that comprise integrated cockpits. Consequently, usability techniques must evolve to ensure that advances in information quantity do not compromise information quality, thereby compromising safety. The UserCHAT is a usability method designed to maximize efficient diagnosis of usability problems identified from a behaviorally-based perspective while minimizing time and resource limitations associated with typical assessments. The present study sought to validate the UserCHAT as a suitable methodology that provides accurate real-time identification of usability problems by evaluators with little usability training. Expert and Intermediate evaluators accurately recorded over 80% of first inefficient actions performed by users on benchmark tasks using a relatively complex MFD while Novices with minimal training with UserCHAT captured over 65%. These results suggest that the UserCHAT does not require extensive evaluator training to effectively record user performance and thereby identify usability problems.
Relational and Metaphorical Approaches to Information Visualization: Effects of Age and Graphical Facility
Authors: Lee Mark D. , Mamykina Lena , Harrison Chandra
Published: January 2012

Diabetes requires continual monitoring of diet, glucose level, and other personal data so that a balance may be achieved between a desired lifestyle and one that is healthy and sustainable. While ubiquitous computing technologies can capture data necessary to make judgments, individuals need to be able to easily comprehend the data to draw conclusions. To help individuals with diabetis with this task, we designed two types of visualizations, a relational visualization using traditional graph-based techniques for presenting data, and a metaphorical visualization that conveys data using familiar, domain-specific imagery in an aesthetically pleasing composition. This paper presents a comparative analysis of these visualizations which indicated that older individuals with lower general graph-interpretation skills perform superior data analysis when using a visualization based on a familiar metaphor. These findings suggest that metaphorical visualizations constitute a viable alternative when designing informational displays for the elderly.
An Empirical Study of the Ergonomic Design of Pill Bottle Caps for the Elderly
Authors: Ross Jennifer M.
Published: January 2012

A central requirement of designing pharmaceutical containers is designing for the elderly and those with poor manual dexterity (e.g., arthritis); however, in an effort to reduce the number of accidental poisonings in children each year it is vital to make pharmaceutical containers child resistant. This study entails an empirical examination of several commonly used child resistant containers (CRCs) across younger (≤35) and older adults (≥50). Results indicated that both younger and older adults could use the containers. However, results did differ on task completion times and rates of perceived exertion for bottle cap design, which was dependent upon both bottle size and CRC design. Design recommendations were made, to employ larger bottles with CRC designs that emphasize mental over physical dexterity (i.e., align-arrow cap design) and smaller more easily managed bottles with CRC designs that emphasize physical dexterity (i.e., push and twist cap design).
From Information Content to Auditory Display with Ecological Interface Design: Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Sanderson Penelope M , Watson Marcus O
Published: January 2012

We examine how Ecological Interface Design (EID) might better bridge the gap from analysis to design by taking different modalities into account. Whereas almost all previous research using EID has focused on visual displays, attempts to extend the use of EID to non-visual modalities have revealed hidden assumptions that need to be made explicit and questioned. In this paper we explore the potential for EID to support a systematic process for the design for auditory displays, illustrating our argument with the design of auditory displays to support anaesthesia monitoring. We propose a set of steps that analysts might take to move more deliberatively and effectively from analysis to design with EID.
Performance of Individuals and Groups in Sensemaking of Information from Computer Decision Aiding Systems
Authors: Ntuen Celestine A.
Published: January 2012

This study presents preliminary results of a comparison of the manner in which individuals and a group of decision makers make sense of computer-aided information. Experiments were conducted to analyze the differences between individuals and a group of sense makers with respect to their perceptions of decision aiding information using Weick's sensemaking dimensions. The group of decision makers tended to grasp situations in more detail, use consensus in validating computer-aided information, adapt to new information more readily, and pay more attention to automation reliability. On the other hand, the individuals tended to assimilate decision-aided information into practice and to use cues from automation, and pay attention to the practical use of automated information.
Application of a Work-Centered Design Method to Support Counterspace Operations
Authors: Szczepkowski Michael , Neville Kelly , Popp Ed
Published: January 2012

A number of challenges hinder the development of systems that support users in the conduct of their work. Challenges include the widespread use and acceptance of design methods that are system-centered rather than work-centered; the time required to develop a work-centered system design; the imprecise nature of translating work domain analysis results into a work-centered design; and unsatisfactory means for coordinating design and design-implementation processes. The Work-centered Infomediary Layer (WIL) design model and method have been developed to address challenges such as these and to facilitate work-centered design in general. In this paper, we describe the application of WIL to the design of a work-centered support system for defensive counterspace (DCS) operators. The design model and method are presented, followed by a description of the resulting system design and ways in which it was shaped and defined through use of the WIL method.
An Empirical Study of Calibration in Air Traffic Control Expert Judgment
Authors: Nunes Ashley , Kirlik Alex
Published: January 2012

In contrast to many studies revealing biases in the probabilistic judgments of task-naïve participants, a growing body of literature has revealed that over time, professionals are able to gain a reasonably accurate appreciation for the inherent uncertainty that exists in their work environments. The present study assessed how well experienced (working) air traffic controllers are able to predict the probability of the loss of separation between a pair of converging aircraft. Sixteen controllers expressed probabilistically whether or not the depicted pair of aircraft would lose separation. The actual probability of conflict was manipulated by varying the time differential between when each pair of aircraft would reach the point of potential conflict, coupled with uncertainty due to wind perturbations. Results revealed that in instances where perceptual information was available to distinguish between conflicts and non-conflicts, the difference between the actual conflict probability and the mean of the controllers' judged probabilities of conflict was minimal, highlighting the high calibration level of these domain experts at an aggregate level.
Interruptions, Distractions, and Attention Management: A Multi-Faceted Problem for Human Factors
Authors: John Mark
Published: January 2012

Interruptions and distractions are a serious problem for many tasks, from programming a device to forming a battle plan, and from driving a car to monitoring airspaces. Interruptions and distractions can interfere with short term memory in planning and executing plans, and they can divert attention and reduce processing capacities for the detection and interpretation of significant events in dynamic situations. Attention management across tasks, and even within complex tasks, is a multi-faceted cognitive, perceptual, and social problem for users and display designers alike. The key to improving attention management is understanding the human, task, and environment issues and designing technologies that dovetail with and exploit that understanding. The research presentations in this session delve into several different facets of attention management and interruption. They analyze the issues, develop design principles, and evaluate alternative interface designs.
Large-Scale Coordination in Emergency Response
Authors: Militello Laura G. , Patterson Emily S. , Wears Robert , Ritter Jill A.
Published: January 2012

Coordination is a key element in emergency response. This paper focuses on coordination as it occurred in a county-level Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during a simulated tornado. The EOC is responsible for locating, purchasing, and transporting resources to the disaster scene(s). The EOC is an ad hoc team made up of government agencies, private companies (i.e., hospitals, utilities, etc.), and non-governmental agencies. These decision makers come together to engage in creative problem solving in order to solve often complex logistics and coordination problems generally under intense time pressure during a rapidly evolving situation. Lessons learned from this exercise highlight coordination challenges including asymmetric information flow, natural fault lines, roles and functions, co-location benefits, emergent leadership, fragmented situation awareness, information displays, room design, and quick reference tools.
The Neocities Simulation: Understanding the Design and Experimental Methodology Used to Develop a Team Emergency Management Simulation
Authors: McNeese Michael D. , Bains Priya , Brewer Isaac , Brown Cliff , Connors Erik S. , Jefferson Tyrone , Jones Rashaad E.T. , Terrell Ivanna
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the continued development of a scaled-world simulation designed to conduct empirical research on team cognition and decision-making within a distributed environment. The NeoCITIES simulation was created to study decision-making and the impact of hidden knowledge profiles on team performance within a distributed command, control, and communications (C3) setting. NeoCITIES has been designed for the purpose of representing both new and operationally relevant scaled worlds, while emulating the complexities and attributes of emergent decision-making scenarios involving emergent counterterrorism events. Because patterns of activity emerge across time, knowledge is often hidden and disconnected within and across teams. NeoCIITES has been orchestrated to assess and evaluate the extent to which teams can socially construct knowledge while ineteracting through various means of technological support. Specifically, NeoCITIES is an interactive computer program designed to display information pertaining to events and occurrences in a virtual city space. The teams in the simulation represent three separate services (e.g., Police, Fire/EMS, and Hazmat) in which they must assess situations, interact and communicate according to their inter-team and intra-team roles, allocate resources in a timely manner, and make decisions within the context of emergency crisis management. Once NeoCITIES development has been completed, the simulation will be used as an experimental task to measure the impact of hidden knowledge profiles on teamwork and decision-making in the distributed team context.
Design Approach for A Customer Care IVRU: Conversational Prompting Style Compared to Directed Dialog
Authors: Balaji T. S. , Weller Donnelle , Kates Jesse
Published: January 2012

Interactive Voice Response Units (IVRUs) answer the phones more often than people do in many business domains, including Telecommunication, Personal Finance, Utilities, etc. This paper presents the results of a research study that Sprint initiated to solve a specific business problem within its IVRU. Two design approaches were assessed, pitting a Natural Language with Directed Dialog Fallback structure versus a traditional Directed Dialog framework. Key measurements included task completion and efficiency. The Natural Language with Directed Dialog Fallback design slightly outperformed the Directed Dialog approach by providing a compelling hybrid of two archetypal IVRU approaches.
Effects of Chemical Protective Clothing on Task Performance Using Wearable Input Devices
Authors: Krausman Andrea S. , Nussbaum Maury
Published: January 2012

Wearable computers allow users the freedom to work in any environment including those that may require protective clothing. Past research has shown that protective clothing impedes performance on manual dexterity tasks. Little information exists, however, regarding how protective clothing affects task performance with wearable input devices. To facilitate future development of wearable input devices, a study was conducted to determine the effects of glove thickness and respirator use on task performance and user preference. Sixteen male participants used both a wearable mouse and touch pad to enter text. Task completion times were 9% slower when participants wore 25-mil versus 7-mil protective gloves, suggesting that thin protective gloves (i.e. 7-mil and 14-mil) are more suitable than thicker gloves when using wearable input devices. Respirator use did not affect task performance. Subjective ratings of difficulty, confidence, and preference provided strong support for the use of a touch pad device rather than a mouse.
Ergonomics: Leadership during the Product Design Process
Authors: McLoone Hugh E.
Published: January 2012

On a relatively short 2-hour flight to attend focus groups for a new project, my thoughts and feelings flowed out of my mind through my fingertips into these series of chapters. I was traveling with colleagues — some new to the product design process — and the same issues between designers,1 ergonomists,2 and product planners3 and their integrated product design process appeared again, as they had in past projects. Based on experience of shipping many, many products, I had assembled these rules of thumb about cocreation between ergonomists, designers and project team during product design process. The continuous need to transfer knowledge is essential to timely success of a distinct, valuable, useful, desirable, and usable product. Likewise, sharing these ideas on design process would also create opportunity to prompt discussion among teams composed of ergonomists and designers about the design process, leadership, and vision. I trust the ideas presented forthcoming will spark some thinking on the readers' end as well.
A Short History of HCI Research and Trends Published in the Journal Human Factors from 1984 to 2004
Authors: Savage Ruthann , Stader Sally , McNeese Patricia L. , Mouloua Mustapha
Published: January 2012

This study was undertaken to explore the history of the use of the term human-computer-interaction (HCI) over two decades of the journal Human Factors. Results show that while some work may have been accomplished in the first ten years, the work wasn't identified as HCI, except at a rate of approximately two articles per year. After 1995 the incidence in the use of HCI as a topical reference increased, and from 2001 – 2004 there were significantly more articles on this topic. The articles were written by scientists around the world, employed in all areas of the field. This research attempts to show how HCI has evolved over these 20 years, to identify any trends in the research, and to provide suggestions for future research, including search methodologies. Specific information will be provided to use in planning future work, such as procedures, descriptions of apparatus, dependent variables and other methodological information.
Computer Display Viewing Angles: Is it Time to Shed a Few Degrees?
Authors: Allie Paul , Purvis Cynthia , Kokot Doug
Published: January 2012

The angle at which a computer display is viewed may have an impact on the musculoskeletal and visual comfort of the user. Although scientific literature regarding viewing angles has grown in the past decade, a research gap still remains. As a result, one is challenged to design workstation solutions that satisfy the performance requirements of both the musculoskeletal and visual systems, and at the same time, adapt to individual preferences. The following recommendations are offered based on a “middle ground” approach where research findings regarding eye comfort, neck comfort and user preferences are all taken into account: (1) the top of the display screen should be placed at or lower than 5° below the horizontal line of sight; and (2) the center of the display should be positioned no more than 25° below the user's horizontal line of sight. These recommendations create a viewing angle range that is less than current recommendations stated in ergonomic standards for VDT workstations.
Publishing Trends of the Journal of Human Factors from 1997–2004
Authors: Curtis Michael , Fincannon Thomas
Published: January 2012

Following up on previous analysis of characteristics of articles in the Journal of Human Factors, the current paper is intended to present a current analysis of articles published from 1997-2004. The paper examines all published articles across the following characteristics: year of publication, period of publication, general affiliation of authors, specific affiliation of 1st author, country of origin of authors, technical group, and collaboration comparisons. This information illustrates the important contributors to research in the field, how much research is done within each technical group, and the characteristics of collaborative work produced. By making comparisons within the eight year period and comparing total data to previous trend analysis (Zavod & Hitt, 2000) this paper will illustrate the direction of human factors research. The information reported can provide a reference for professionals, students, and prospective researchers in identifying where research is taking place and burgeoning topics of interest.
Usability Evaluation of a Mobile Ecological Interface Design Application for Diabetes Management
Authors: Kwok Jordanna , Burns Catherine M.
Published: January 2012

Healthcare applications for small-screen mobile devices are becoming increasingly common for medical professionals and patients. Even so, usability issues including navigation and screen clutter remain a challenge. Ecological Interface Design (EID) was used to design a patient-oriented diabetes management display for Java-enabled mobile devices, making it one of the first mobile EID (mEID) applications. This paper presents a usability evaluation of the diabetes management application, which compares the mEID display to a modified taskbased display (mEID+Task). The mEID+Task display integrates functional task characteristics such as frequency and necessity; menu structure, item ordering, item labelling, and input scheme were varied. Results showed that normalised trial completion times were moderately faster in the mEID+Task display than in the mEID display, while no differences were observed in trial completion accuracy. Furthermore, the mEID+Task display received higher preference ratings than the mEID display alone. The findings suggest that the usability of mEID displays can be improved by incorporating a task-oriented approach.
Checklists — Suitable Tools for Usability Testing
Authors: Koneczny S. , Matern U.
Published: January 2012

Ergonomics in the operating room (OR) is an unsolved problem for users and engineers. Deficiencies of the OR as a workplace cause potential hazards for the patient as well as for the OR staff. To detect those conditions a checklist for the OR was developed and as a first step evaluated in a German hospital. Medical technical devices were found to be lacking in usability due to such as unclear symbols, impracticability, hindrances and insufficient ease in handling. Also the positioning of devices in the OR shows ergonomic problems that in most cases necessitates an unavoidable awkward working posture for the employees that causes pain. The checklist can be used as a basic tool for the implementation of usability into the engineering process and design of new medical devices as well as for the usability testing of the final product.
The Role of Human Machine Interfaces in Industrial Development of Medical Devices
Authors: Erbe Christian O.
Published: January 2012

Electrosurgery is a widely used modality for separation of tissue plains, achievement of hemostasis and devitalization of pathologic tissue structures. Although this technology has been used in almost every operating room in the world for many many decades, it still is recognized by leading clinical organizations as potentially the most dangerous device during surgery (1). In addition to technical problems, human error is recognized to be an important factor in those unfavorable outcomes, especially as during medical procedures electrosurgical systems are in close proximity to the physician - patient interface and physically in direct contact with both.
Human Performance Models of Pilot Behavior
Authors: Foyle David C. , Hooey Becky L. , Byrne Michael D. , Corker Kevin M. , Deutsch Stephen , Lebiere Christian , Leiden Ken , Wickens Christopher D.
Published: January 2012

Five modeling teams from industry and academia were chosen by the NASA Aviation Safety and Security Program to develop human performance models (HPM) of pilots performing taxi operations and runway instrument approaches with and without advanced displays. One representative from each team will serve as a panelist to discuss their team's model architecture, augmentations and advancements to HPMs, and aviation-safety related lessons learned. Panelists will discuss how modeling results are influenced by a model's architecture and structure, the role of the external environment, specific modeling advances and future directions and challenges for human performance modeling in aviation.