bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Investigation of the Effects of Grouping and Lighting on the Accuracy of Paced Visual Inspection
Authors: Hamm Lyle
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this project was to determine what effects, if any, lighting and density of product had upon the inspection process. Therefore, there were three levels of lighting and three different groupings, i.e., one, two, or three resistors. Four different subjects were used, each completing the test twice. The inspection procedure consisted of identifying bad resistors on a moving belt conveyor. Subjects were required only to call out the number of bad resistors out of each group. It was not necessary for the subject to sort out the good from the bad. The color coding of the resistors provided for the discrimination. The subjects' performances were scored three ways: Type I errors in which a subject accepted a bad resistor; Type II errors in which a good resistor was accepted; and the combination or sum of the two. The results of the experiment showed a definite difference in the effect of the lowest light level as compared to the higher two. The number of resistors in a group displayed consistent statistical significance only between the first and last levels; i.e., those containing one and three resistors, respectively.
Perceived versus Actual Value of Color-Coding
Authors: Karner Carl
Published: January 2012

Color-coding has become a widely-used method of information input coding. Unfortunately, little is known regarding general statements concerning under what conditions color-coding will facilitate performance. For this reason, a decision is often made on the basis of judgment if empirical data is not available.

The present study is designed to examine performance in a particular short-term memory task and to assess the actual value of color-coding in the task. This actual value is then compared to the participants' judgments of the value of color-coding in that task. The task required the subject to keep track of the current state of each of several variables. One group used a color-coding system while a second group did not. The results showed performance to be significantly better without color-coding; however, all subjects from each group in a post-test interview that they felt that color-coding would be beneficial. The implication is that humans may have rather poor insight regarding the facilitating effects of color-coding.
An Investigation of Age-Related Changes in Drivers Visual Search Patterns and Driving Performance and the Relation to Tests of Basic Functional Capacities
Authors: Rackoff Nick J.
Published: January 2012

Thirteen aged (60's) and ten young (20's) subjects performed on-the-road driving tasks. Subjects also performed psychomotor lab tasks. The road tests were: a task in which drivers voluntarily closed their eyes as much as possible; and a task in which driver's eye fixations were recorded. The lab tests were rapid tapping between targets, (motor capacity), and an embedded figures test (perceptual skill). The lab tests showed much poorer scores for the aged. On the road, aged drivers opened their eyes much longer (visual occlusion task), and had larger mean visual travel distances between fixations (degrees). The results suggested aged drivers required longer times and searched more cues to obtain adequate information. Lab and road scores were correlated. Some aged performed at the same level as younger.
Development of a Computer Simulation Model for Evaluating Dais Display Concepts
Authors: Kuperman Gilbert G. , Seifert Deborah J.
Published: January 2012

Systems Analysis of Integrated Networks of Tasks (SAINT) network and computer simulation techniques were applied in support of the Digital Avionics Information System (DAIS) advanced development program. A computer-programmed model was developed to closely parallel Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory's Advanced Cockpit Design Simulator (ACDS) man-in-the-loop experiments with respect to task scenarios, task durations, and control tolerances used. Networks developed for the model represented both multifunction switching and multipurpose display concepts of DAIS and dedicated avionics subsystem display and control concepts of conventional aircraft systems. Exercise of the computer model provided estimates of the nature of primary and secondary task interaction, performance predictions, and validation of the modeling concepts and accuracy within the limits of the available empirical data.
Stress Threshold for Drivers under Various Combinations of Discrete and Tracking Workload
Authors: McDonald L. Bruce , Ellis Newton C.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine a stress threshold for drivers under various combinations of discrete and tracking workload. For example, if a driver was given a tracking (steering) workload of 50%, the objective would be to determine the largest percentage of discrete workload (such as sign reading) he could handle simultaneously. The 15 subjects in the study first carried out a series of tracking tasks, and the workload on each difficulty level was measured with a secondary task. They then executed a number of discrete tasks, and the workload on each difficulty level was measured. Various workload levels were then combined in an effort to discover the stress threshold for different combinations of discrete and tracking tasks. Study results indicated that subjects are unable to simultaneously execute two tasks, each of which occupies 50% of their attention when executed alone. A regression analysis was performed on the data to determine what levels of tracking workload can be executed simultaneously with various levels of discrete task workload.
Fatigue in Boat Operation: The Development of a Visual Alertness Stressor Test (VAST)
Authors: Stiehl C. Christian
Published: January 2012

The use of secondary task to measure degradations in the performance of a primary task is well documented in the human performance literature. This paper describes research in the design, construction, and development of the Visual Alertness Stressor Test (VAST) as a means of measuring the effects of stressors on a boat operator's performance. The VAST task required the subject to respond to particular patterns of lights displayed in a semi-circle around the cockpit of the boat while he maintained a specified course with the boat. The basic measures taken were the response times and the number of missed signals. A 2 − 2 factorial design was used where the factors were the type and amount of fatigue that the subject experienced. The results confirmed that the overall effect of “typical” exposure to the environmental stressors of boating was a significant degradation in performance. The main effect of type of fatigue was insignificant, as was the interaction of type of fatigue and amount of fatigue. Implications for boating safety as well as future research efforts and applications of VAST are discussed.
Hours of Work and Shiftwork
Authors: Rutenfranz Joseph , Colquhoun W. Peter , Knauth Peter
Published: January 2012

First the time elements of a working day, the duration of working time and the time positioning of working time are treated under ergonomical aspects. Second the reasons for shiftwork, different types of shift work as well as effects on health and on family and social life are discussed.

Finally the following physiological criteria for optimal shift-schedules are presented: (1) Single night shifts are better than consecutive night shifts. (2) At least 24 hours free time should be allowed after each night shift. (3) The cycle of a shift system should not be too long. (4) The length of the shift should be related to the type of work. (5) In connection with continuous shift work as many free weekends as possible should be arranged.
Human Reliability in Industrial Systems: An Overview
Authors: Embrey David
Published: January 2012

This paper describes some of the major areas of interest in the field of human reliability. The nature of system reliability assessment is described, and the importance of considering human reliability emphasized. Human error is then discussed from several standpoints, and techniques for its quantitative assessment described. The review concludes with a description of the various sources of human reliability data and the research that is currently in progress.
Differential Vibration of the Feet and Trunk of Humans
Authors: Entrekin Robert , Suggs C.W. , Abrams C.F.
Published: January 2012

At vibrational frequencies below four or five Hz most subjects preferred that the footrest move in phase with and at the same amplitude as the seat. At higher frequencies most subjects preferred a stationary footrest.
The Integration of Human Factors and Industrial Design for Consumer Products
Authors: Kreifeldt J. G. , Hill P. H.
Published: January 2012

The successful integration of Human Factors and Industrial Design will produce an aesthetically pleasing and functionally superior product. A case study in the design of a new manual toothbrush is used to illustrate techniques and studies developed over 4 years to produce a consumer product along rational human factors lines in conjunction with innovative industrial design. The primary functional requirement was that the final product be significantly better in plaque removal than other leading manual toothbrushes with adequate data to support advertising claims as well as eliciting strong consumer appeal.
Pre-Installation Evaluation of Personnel Subsystem Documentation: A Test - Revision - Retest Program
Authors: Martin C. Richard
Published: January 2012

A two year program, employing test subjects selected from the eventual user population, evaluated the procedural and training material associated with a computer-based information system. One hundred and thirty tests of fully documented positions (i.e., modules of work) were conducted. Performance test error rates, subjects' debriefing comments, and observations by the trainer and test administrator were compiled into a report which highlighted specific aspects of the position where possible design or documentation weaknesses might exist. Test reports were forwarded to the design group within 10 days after each test was completed. Following a design review session, certain recommended revisions were implemented. When the design group supervisor agreed, the revised documentation was scheduled for a retest.
From Work Structuring to a Sociotechnologic Design
Authors: Ruehl Guenter
Published: January 2012

The concept of work structuring (Philips 1968, Ruehl 1973) is based on the genuine idea to stimulate man's motivation by allowing him more degrees of freedom in his job, thus creating possibilities of release for the man at work. This was in good conformity with F. Herzberg's theory of motivation (1967). The experiments starting from this point were rather partial approaches in small groups anywhere in the organization of bigger enterprises. It's up to the new sociotechnologic concept to subdue the whole organization to these principles. For this we need above all a new theory in terms of behavioral science and a new theory of organization which precede the technical design and are integrated in it. Finally, men have to be classified at least according to their type and to be led to the genuine kind of tasks. This complete concept combines the fellow-man (socius) with the functional technology and leads to the sociotechnologic design.
Generic Man-Computer Dialogue Specification: An Alternative to Dialogue Specialists
Authors: Pew Richard W. , Rollins Ann M. , Williams George A.
Published: January 2012

It has long been argued that man-computer dialogues should be written by user-oriented human factors specialists rather than by systems designers who were once programmers and who tend to think like programmers. The difficulty is that very few human factors specialists have access to the dens of systems designers and even when their usefulness is recognized there are not enough such specialists to meet the need. This paper will report on an alternative procedure in which the human factors input is made at the stage at which system planning is under way, when system characteristics are sufficiently well defined that it is possible to write a dialogue specification, but before systems designers have begun to write dialogues. If this specification is effective, it will give the designer freedom to do what he does best, but will do it within predefined constraints that will promote the development of an effective interactive system.

In conjunction with the development of a large-scale man-computer system proposed by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service such a set of dialogue specifications was written. The specifications would permit several system design teams to work independently, but produce dialogue that is relatively uniform from subsystem to subsystem and that meets standards for good human factors design. The steps undertaken to create the specification will be described together with selected samples of the kind of dialogue that may result.
Vibration Ride Comfort Criteria
Authors: Dempsey Thomas K. , Leatherwood Jack D.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents results obtained from a test program being conducted at Langley Research Center to develop an empirical model for predicting passenger comfort responses to multiaxis vibrations. The specific results contained in this paper are restricted to a description and understanding of human response to complex vertical axis vibrations. The approach to multifrequency vibration includes a separate consideration of the discomfort associated with each frequency component or band of the total spectrum, and a subsequent empirical weighting of the discomfort components of these frequency bands when in various random combinations. Mathematically, this may be represented as:

[Formula: see text]

The discomfort (DISC) represents the subjective discomfort associated with the acceleration level of a particular frequency band. The F value, or masking factor specifies the fashion in which the discomfort of different frequency bands are added together. Fundamental to this approach is a detailed understanding of human response to discrete frequency inputs. A study has been recently completed that included 186 subjects, exposed to frequencies of 1 to 30 Hz, and ranging in acceleration level from 0.05 to 0.50 peak g. The F value was derived in a second set of tests that systematically explored the passenger discomfort response as a function of various random spectra.

The results are in the form of equal discomfort curves that specify the discomfort associated with discrete frequencies between 1 and 30 Hz, of varying acceleration levels. These results, in addition to being necessary for the above equation, provide detailed information of the human discomfort response to increases of acceleration level, for each frequency investigated. More importantly, the results provide a method for adding the discomfort associated with separate frequencies for a total typification of the discomfort of a random spectrum of vibration.
Empirical Definition of Limit to work in Hot Environments for Women
Authors: Kamon E.
Published: January 2012

Occupational exposure to hot environments can be considered safe if the core body temperature (Tc) does not rise above the expected work-specific equilibrium level. The ambient vapor pressure at which such Tc elevation occurred were tested on female subjects who were exposed to eight air temperatures (Ta) between 36 to 52°C on two series of tests; seminude at metabolic rate of 150 W-m-2 and clothed at 196 W-m-2. Each test started with walking at a given Ta with the vapor pressure (Pa) set to insure Tc equilibrium within 60 minutes. Thereafter, Pa was raised by 1 Torr every 10 minutes for an additional 60 to 70 minutes. The Pa beyond which the monitored rectal temperature (Tre) inflected upwards was considered the limit for the particular Ta for the subject. On the basis of this method, a psychrometrically defined limit was derived as the mean Pa at each Ta for the two series tested. Some of the Pa values could be used to derive the evaporative coefficient applicable to the ambient maximal evaporative capacity.
Biomechanical Strength Models
Authors: Chaffin Don B.
Published: January 2012

Over the last ten years, several biomechanical models have been developed to predict the strength capability of a person or population. The development of these models, their validity and uses will be reviewed in this paper. Limitations and the need for more research in this problem area will be presented.
Accident Research at the United States Army Agency for Aviation Safety: An Overview
Authors: McDaniel William C.
Published: January 2012

The United States Army Agency for Aviation Safety determines ways and means to conserve aviation resources of the United States Army. An important function of the Agency is to conduct an active accident research program. This paper overviews some of the accident research techniques, methodology, and application of results that have been used. This includes accident research in hardware and selected engineering changes, human factors research in accidents, a pilot error model, concept of human error as a “behavioral anomaly” and multivariate statistical techniques used in accident research. A challenge is issued to accident researchers and other areas of human factors research to align their efforts in reducing accidents.
Systematic Selection of Shift Plans for Continuous Production with the Aid of Work-Physiological Criteria
Authors: Knauth Peter , Rohmert Walter , Rutenfranz Joseph
Published: January 2012

Taking into account the numerous theoretically possible shift systems, we chose sensible shift systems with the aid of objective work-physiological criteria, e.g. the duration of the daily working time, the positioning and duration of sleep and recreation time.

With an agreed 40-hour-week shift systems with a weekly working time of 42 hours are more advantageous. If the shifts are equally attended over 24 hours the following shift systems are recommended: when you have 8-hour-shifts the relation between the number of working days and the number of free days should be “3 n/n”, whereby n must be larger than 1, within one shift rota. In the exceptional case of a twelve-hour-shift the corresponding relation should be “2n/2n”. Furthermore unsuitable and recommendable shift plan examples are demonstrated for these shift systems.
Quarterbacks as Cornerbacks or American Fighter Pilots in Migs: A Study of Reverse Role Training
Authors: Laughery K. Ronald
Published: January 2012

This study tested a training concept termed reverse-role training. Reverse-role training involves practice by an individual on tasks which he does not perform in the operational environment but his operational performance is dependent upon others performing these tasks. This can be best perceived in terms of game playing, such as air-to-air combat, whereby the player will receive practice playing the opponent's position (e.g., American fighter pilots receiving training in Soviet aircraft). A study was conducted in which 32 subjects were trained to play a video air-to-air combat game with each “aircraft” having different performance characteristics. Results indicated significant differences on a number of strategy measures and a probable interaction with aircraft type on the number of wins, losses, and draws.
Team Performance and Training for Team Competition
Authors: Dyer Jean L. , Mays Pamela V. , Bennett Robert H.
Published: January 2012

Team functions were used to define the concept of “teamwork” within small military units and to describe process changes in mission execution as teams trained for competition. As teams became more proficient, their functional profiles changed to reflect better distribution of member and equipment resources, and the behaviors used to cue the functions shifted to more implicit team member interactions as opposed to interactions guided by verbal and nonverbal directives.
Rater Fatigue in Job Analysis Surveys
Authors: Israelski Edmond W. , Lenoble Jill S.
Published: January 2012

An investigation was conducted of fatigue effects experienced by job analysis survey respondents. During survey sessions, averaging three hours, a majority of raters showed a decrease in the variability of their rating judgments. Counterbalanced and randomized orders of task statements in survey task inventories are recommended as partial remedies.
Effect of Interface Design on Usability of Message Handling Systems
Authors: Goodwin Nancy C.
Published: January 2012

Computer-based office support systems are designed to be used by people who view these systems as tools to accomplish tasks. For such users, the usefulness of a function is related to how well the interface to that function is designed. A comparison of two computer-based message systems shows that the amount of use received by a function supporting a secondary task is related to how easy that function is to use. It may be necessary to forego some system-wide power to provide user aids that improve usability of secondary functions.
Warnings on Consumer Products: Objective Criteria for their use
Authors: McCarthy Roger L. , Robinson J. Neil , Finnegan James P. , Taylor Robert K.
Published: January 2012

Consumer product warnings, often placards, buzzers, etc., are information displays that attempt to influence user behavior through the information presented. A review and background of warnings is presented. Assumptions underlying their employment and the lack of scientific validation of their effectiveness are discussed. Quantitative criteria are proposed for the use of warnings based on risk analysis. Examples of such analysis are presented. The limited information processing capability of man dictates that warnings be reserved for significant risks in the context of the products use, environment, and risks from other products. Contraindications for use of warnings are discussed.
Cooling with Box Fans
Authors: Rosen Eric , Konz Stephan
Published: January 2012

Two experiments are described.

Experiment 1 investigated the preferred direction of air upon a person. Forty males sat in front of a box fan in 12 different seating orientations (30° increments). Air velocity was .7 m/s (140 ft/min); room temperature was 28 C (82 F) with 40% rh. The preference was bimodal with the most preferred directions from the front or the rear; velocities from the side were less preferred.

Experiment 2 investigated 3 velocities (“still air”, .8 m/s (160 ft/min) and 1.3 m/s (260 ft/min)) at 3 temperatures (25.6, 27.8 and 30 C; 78, 82, 86 F). Eight subjects each spent three hours in each of the 9 conditions. Clothing was standardized at about .5 clo. Subjects did a paper and pencil task (maze) and a peg into hole task. Thermal comfort and thermal sensation ballots were completed every 15 min. At the end of 150 min., they moved their chair in relation to the fan so as to select their preferred velocity.

The current recommended ceiling of .8 m/s for sedentary office work is too low as the subject-selected velocity was .7 m/s at 25.6 C, was 1.0 m/s at 27.8 C and was 1.2 m/s at 30 C. These results were confirmed by the thermal comfort and thermal sensation ballots. Depending on the criterion used, for seated sedentary work in warm conditions, every 0.1 m/s (20 ft/min) increase in air velocity offsets approximately a 0.4 C (0.7 F) increase in temperature (0.7 < V < 1.2 m/s).
The Effect of Personal Cooling Systems on Performance under Heat Stress
Authors: Zakay Dan , Shapiro Yair , Epstein Yoram , Bril Shay
Published: January 2012

The effect of personal cooling systems on performance under heat stress was examined. Nine subjects were tested in severe heat stress conditions with seven types of personal cooling systems. It was found that, excluding the fan cooling system, all personal cooling systems enabled better performance as compared to performance under heat stress conditions without such a system. However, differences on several parameters among the various cooling systems were found. These differences are analyzed and the future development of such systems is discussed.
Mitigation of Performance Decrement in Transient Extreme Heat
Authors: Hancock P. A.
Published: January 2012

This paper examines the effect of operator skill level upon performance in transient extreme heat. Previous work has indicated that task familiarity is beneficial in prolonging efficient performance in elevated environmental temperature. It is proposed that such familiarity is subsumed by automated responses, with respect to consistent components of individual task demands. These components, developed through consistent mapping of stimulus and response relationships, remain essentially unimpaired by the thermal stressor. In contrast, heat may induce potentially dangerous decrement in both inconsistent elements of practiced tasks and performance in novel or emergency situations. The automatic and control processing framework may be applied to performance variation under alternate environmental stressors and is of potential importance to those who have occasion to require personnel to operate in non-optimal environmental conditions.
Human Factors, Photographic Space, and Disc Photography
Authors: Faulkner T.W. , Rice T.M.
Published: January 2012

Both technological and conceptual advances were important in the development of disc photography. One major conceptual advance was based on a human factors study of the ways in which people use cameras. The term “photographic space” has been introduced to describe a method of quantifying and depicting camera usage patterns. A large data base has been established that includes this usage information along with information on possible user problems and picture quality. A formal approach to utilizing this human factors data base for new product development has been established. A set of system capability equations are used to optimize the design of a camera in a way that considers frequency of usage under different picture taking conditions. Picture quality is maximized for the actual anticipated conditions of use.
Synthesized Voice Warning Messages: Effects of Alerting Cues and Message Environment
Authors: Hakkinen Markku T. , Williges Beverly H.
Published: January 2012

The use of Voice Synthesis Technology (VST) in human/computer dialogues has not received much attention in the human factors literature. Therefore, guidelines for implementing VST systems must be based upon data from natural speech situations published in human factors handbooks. One of the more promising environments for VST is a high workload situation in which the user's visual sensory channel may be heavily burdened with information related to the primary task while a lesser amount of information is present in the auditory channel. The use of VST allows information presented visually to be shifted to the less loaded auditory channel. VST can also serve as a redundant source of information to increase the probability of correct message reception by the user. Characteristics of auditory signals, such as serving an alerting function, make them well-suited for the presentation of urgent and time-critical messages. Although human factors design handbooks suggest that voice messages should be preceded in time by an alerting tone (e.g., Woodson, 1981), recent research (Simpson and Williams, 1980) refutes this design guideline. The present study examined the effectiveness of cueing signals for auditory warning messages as a function of the amount of information presented by voice synthesis and workload in a task that primarily involved visual information. At issue here is whether or not information is lost because of the need to transition attention from one sensory channel to another.

Subjects performed a task similar to that found in a simplified air traffic control environment. Users were required to monitor two visual displays and to enter commands via a standard keyboard. Workload was varied by changing the number of aircraft the subject had to control simultaneously. Emergency messages were always presented by synthesized speech. However, the presence of an alerting cue (light and tone) prior to the emergency messages and the presentation mode (visual or auditory) of non-critical messages were varied experimentally. When non-critical messages were presented by synthesized speech, subjects were required to monitor only one display. Subject response times to detect and respond to emergency messages and system-generated information requests, accuracy of message transcriptions, aircraft control performance, and subjective ratings of the presentation modes were analyzed. Recommendations for human factors engineers involved in the design of systems using VST will be presented.
Human Factors Guidelines for the Use of Synthetic Speech Devices
Authors: Edman Thomas R.
Published: January 2012

Synthetic speech devices have attracted considerable attention in the last several years, and are found in consumer, military, or industrial applications. A body of literature on synthetic speech can be assembled from human factor research and from research in perceptual psychology and linguistics. This literature includes research on the intelligibility, comprehension and acceptability of synthetic speech, work on the use of synthetic speech in multi-task situations, and studies of the function and utility of synthetic speech for alarming and annunciation, and for training and education. A review of this literature will be presented. In addition, standard human factors references and guides for speech communication are analyzed for their applicability to modern synthetic speech technologies.
Toward Speaker Independent Voice Recognition
Authors: Poock Gary K. , Schwalm Norman D. , Roland Ellen F.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which off-the-shelf voice recognition equipment can perform as a speaker-independent system. By “speaker independence” is meant the ability of the system to be used by a larger number of individuals than that which trained the system (but including those who trained it), and by individuals different from those who trained it.

Several independent groups of five subjects trained a threshold T600 voice recognition unit, each subject training the same 50 utterances for a total of 250 utterances. Later, a number of testing trials were conducted wherein subjects tested the system using 1) the 50 utterances that they trained, 2) the utterances that they trained plus the utterances trained by the other four subjects, and 3) the utterances trained only by the other four subjects. Measures of recognition accuracy were percent nonrecognitions and percent misrecognitions.

Results will be discussed in light of additional applications for voice recognition if currently available systems prove to be able to function well in a speaker independent mode.
Voice Input/Output in Perspective
Authors: Funk Ken , McDowell Ed
Published: January 2012

Lately, quite a lot of effort has been put into the development of voice input and output systems for human-machine communication. In this paper, we point out that while voice I/O is ideal for many applications, there are others for which it is ill-suited and there is a danger that fascination with the technology may well result in its misuse.
Spectral Analysis of Driver Steering Behavior
Authors: Sturgis Samuel P.
Published: January 2012

In order to examine the utility of spectral analysis as a means of quantifying driver steering behavior in a steady-state (expressway) driving task, 10 novice and 10 experienced drivers drove an instrumented car on a 90-minute drive on an “uncongested” expressway, and (for the experienced drivers only) on a 60-minute drive on a “congested” expressway during rush-hour conditions. Results of analyses of variance of RMS steering amplitude in 0.025 hz-wide frequency bands indicated that novice drivers exhibited significantly greater RMS steering amplitude than experienced drivers in the two frequency bands 0–0.025 hz and 0.125–0.150 hz, and that experienced drivers exhibited significantly greater RMS amplitude on the “congested” expressway than the “uncongested” expressway in the six 0.025 hz-wide frequency bands between 0 and 0.150 hz. Significant differences were found between RMS amplitudes measured during the first and second halves of a number of the test drives, indicating that behavior in the two test halves was not equivalent.
Overview of Training Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Neal Gilbert L.
Published: January 2012

U S Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) training effectiveness analysis (TEA) began in 1975 and has evolved into today's TRADOC TEA System, An overview of the TEA System history, characteristics, methodology, scope, and lessons-learned are presented in this paper.
A Forecasting Method for Training Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Dawdy Edward D. , Hawley John K.
Published: January 2012

In dealing with emerging materiel systems early in their life cycle, the selection of an acceptable training program often requires the use of a training effectiveness forecast methodology. Methods traditionally used to determine training effectiveness require data that are not available until after many important training-related decisions have been made. A training effectiveness forecasting method is described that combines the development of viable training program alternatives, the estimation of individual task training effectiveness, the estimation of training program effectiveness, and the integration of cost data to determine the most cost-effective training approach. The methodology has the advantage of fixing neither effectiveness nor cost. Rather, the procedure allows for later consideration of either constraint as part of the selection criterion. Although the emphasis of the presentation is on the estimation of training effectiveness, extended uses of the resulting data are noted, including assessing trainability, training time requirements, and requirements for maintenance or refresher training.
A Comparison of VDT Antireflection Treatments
Authors: Habinek James K. , Jacobson Peggy M. , Miller Win , Suther Thomas W.
Published: January 2012

Operators of video display terminals often cite specular screen reflections as a major source of annoyance. The current study used a legibility task to compare the effectiveness of three antireflection treatments: nylon mesh filter, quarter-wavelength thin film coating, and direct surface etching. Performance and preference data revealed very little difference among the three treatments. All were effective relative to an untreated polished glass screen when light sources were deliberately arranged to produce unavoidable screen reflections.
Productivity and Machine Design: The Case of a Lettering Machine
Authors: Simonelli Nicholas M.
Published: January 2012

An office lettering machine was put through an operability test, and it was discovered that most of the lettering errors seemed to be the result of parallax between a pointer and its scale. A repeat test of the same lettering task with the same machine - but with reduced parallax - showed a 78% drop in the lettering errors. The study demonstrates the effect of machine design on efficiency and productivity, and points to the need to evaluate products in their design stage to optimize the user interface.
Thirty Millimeter Keyboards: How Good are They?
Authors: Emmons William H. , Hirsch Richard S.
Published: January 2012

A German regulation specifies that the height of the home row of a keyboard must not exceed 30 mm (1.2 inches) above the top of the table. Results of a study comparing heights of 30, 38 and 45 millimeters show that performance on the higher keyboards was significantly superior to the 30 mm height. Also, questionnaire data showed significant operator preference for the higher keyboards.
Human Factors, Organizational Design, and Productivity: Alternative Management Systems
Authors: Brown Ogden
Published: January 2012

The American labor force is presently undergoing an evolutionary change which contains certain implications with respect to the ways in which organizations are designed and managed. The principal trends which have emerged are: the changing composition of the labor force, changing attitudes and values of the individual worker, and the emergence of alternative management systems (herein termed quality of work life programs) as a response to cope with this evolution. Many of these programs are concerned with varying the structure and design of the organization, redesign of the work environment, and the adoption of alternative management styles and methods. In an era of slower growth, declining productivity, and stiffer world wide competition, the solution to “people problems” is now just as consequential as is the introduction of new technologies and the generation of capital.

Evidence is rapidly mounting that quality of work life programs do appear to be of help in achieving the desirable goals of improved quality and productivity, and increased job satisfaction on the part of the worker. Such programs are not, of course, unique to American organizations. This symposium includes a discussion of programs employed in West Germany and in Japan as well as in the United States. American programs presented include those of the subsidiary of a Japanese firm, and those of two large, highly successful organizations with outstanding records of employee relations and quality of work life programs. Time will be available for audience interaction and questions.
Gender Differences and Cognitive Abilities in the Transfer of Training of Basic Flying Skills
Authors: McCloy Thomas M. , Swiney John F.
Published: January 2012

Eighteen Air Force Academy cadets, ten males and eight females, participated in an experiment designed to investigate gender differences in the retention of basic flying skills, and the transfer of training between several basic instrument maneuvers. Additionally, the utility of several cognitive factors in predicting flying performance was investigated. The results indicated that males and females maintain basic instrument flying skills approximately equally well over an intervening period as long as one year. Additionally, gender differences in transfer of training may result from different abilities required by the specific maneuvers as opposed to failure to transfer previously learned skills. Finally, certain cognitive measures exhibit definite utility in predicting flying performance.
The Effect of VDT Command Line Location on Data Entry Behavior
Authors: Granda Richard E. , Teitelbaum Richard C. , Dunlap Gregory L.
Published: January 2012

An experiment was conducted to study user behavior while entering data in two different locations on a visual display (VDT) screen. Sixteen subjects (eight experienced and eight novice VDT users) performed a data entry task which emphasized screen-keyboard interaction. The entry area was placed either at the top (line 2) or bottom (line 23) of the display, with trials blocked for a given condition. Statistically significant differences were obtained for three anthropometric measures and one time measure on main effects of line location and user experience level. Although significant differences in absolute measures were found, both user groups show the same proportionate improvement when the command line is presented at the bottom, compared with when it is at the top.
A Human Engineering Approach to the Enhancement of Operational Systems
Authors: Schulz Kenneth A. , Pine Steven M.
Published: January 2012

The practicing human factors engineer is often called upon to help in improving a system which has already been designed, built and placed into operation. The authors' organization has recently completed a major program to develop guidelines for enhancing nuclear power plant control rooms. On the basis of this and other experiences, an outline for the process of enhancing a system has been developed. This paper will discuss elements of this process which lead to a comprehensive and systematic approach to improvement.
Consumer Product Design Projects for Human Factors Classes
Authors: Kreifeldt John G.
Published: January 2012

Consumer product design projects are described as they have been used at Tufts University so that student teams may practice human factors design in a realistic, verifiable context. Experience over the years with engineering and psychology students supports this educational approach and the realworld observation that most human factors data is of general relevance but limited applicability to the design problems and that human factors engineering is an integrated activity.
Training Device Fidelity and Transfer of a Perceptual Motor Skill
Authors: Baum David R. , Riedel Sharon L. , Hays Robert T.
Published: January 2012

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between training device fidelity and transfer of training for a perceptual-motor maintenance task. The task was truing a bicycle wheel. Fidelity was operationally defined in terms of the physical and functional similarity (PS and FS, respectively) of each device to the actual equipment. Five experimental conditions were employed, each using one of the following devices:

1. Actual equipment (High PS/High FS) 2. Facsimile equipment (Medium PS/Medium FS) 3. Line drawings (Low PS/Low FS) 4. Inoperative actual equipment (High PS/Low FS) 5. Computer graphics model (Low PS/High FS)

One hundred non-college bound high school students served as subjects, with 20 randomly assigned to each condition. The training method consisted of the following:

(1) A demonstration of the task on the device appropriate to the experimental condition; (2) practice on the device (subjects in Condition 1 had one 15-minute practice trial); and (3) two 15-minute performance trials on the actual equipment. For example, in Condition 3 the subjects were first shown pictures of the various equipment components and the process of truing the wheel was explained; this was followed by problems in which the subjects had to state what they would do to correct the depicted deviation and point out how they would do it. Feedback was provided in all conditions.

Performance accuracy in terms of millimeters of lateral rim deviation was measured automatically at 3-minute intervals during trials of 15-minutes duration.

The results indicate that there is no effect of overall fidelity on task performance. However, the results show that physical similarity is a significantly more important determinant of skill acquisition for this task than functional similarity.

The results support the idea that training device fidelity can be usefully defined along at least two dimensions; and it can be systematically varied and its effects on learning studied. The results have implications for the kind of guidance to provide to training program managers who must make cost-effective decisions regarding device features. Future research will investigate the potentially interactive effects of variables like task complexity and subject aptitude.
Command-Set and Presentation Method in the Training of Telidon Operators
Authors: Francas M. , Goodman D. , Dickinson J.
Published: January 2012

Two experiments were conducted concerning the introduction of the Telidon videotex system to novice users. In the first, three training systems, involving training via a videotape presentation, a written manual and a specially designed interactive computer package, were contrasted with Telidon novices who either had computing experience, typing experience or skill in neither of these fields. It was found that computer-experienced subjects had some advantage, but differences between groups and training systems were only apparent in the initial phase of Telidon use. Users tended to prefer the interactive training system. In the second experiment different types of command-word sets were compared in terms of comprehension and preference. Alternative methods of organization of command-words on a command card were also contrasted. Although no significant differences emerged in comprehension, users preferred command words with a close approximation to English and categorization of command-words on the basis of task requirements.
User-Computer Interface Design of a Complex Tactical Display Terminal
Authors: Davis Gary I. , Badger Warren S.
Published: January 2012

A complex tactical display terminal has been designed with operator input/output utility identified as an important criterion for design emphasis. Careful attention to the locations and interactions between the components of a user-computer interface has resulted in a display terminal capable of supporting the communication, analysis, and decision making tasks required of operators in automated command and control systems.
A Data Bank for Human Related Events in Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Metwally A. Mohsen M. , Sabri Zeinab A. , Adams S. Keith , Husseiny Abdo A.
Published: January 2012

The authors introduce a comprehensive survey and evaluation of presently available data sources in nuclear power plants.

A newly developed classification format for human related events is proposed. The format presents all necessary information in a coded form to support human reliability analysis and the assessment of performance shaping factors.

Recommendations are given for improving data sources to facilitate the evaluation of man-machine interfaces and human performance in nuclear power plants.
Repeated Measures of Information Processing
Authors: Harbeson Mary M. , Kennedy Robert S. , Krause Michele , Bittner Alvah C.
Published: January 2012

Two information processing tasks were considered for inclusion in a test battery which was being developed for repeated measures investigations of adverse environmental effects. The tests, adapted from the Rose Battery were: Baron's Graphemic and Phonemic Analysis, and Posner's Letter Classification. Alternate forms of the the tests were administered on 15 consecutive workdays (Monday to Friday) to 21 Navy enlisted men. A total of 23 measures were taken. These scores were examined to determine when in practice they obtained unchanging or linearly changing means, homogeneous variances, and constant (differentially stable) intertrial correlations of an acceptably high level (task definition). In general, correlations of the basic measures tended to become stable with sufficient practice, but derived measures such as difference, slope, and ratio scores did not attain stability. The Baron and Posner tasks had high reliabilities and were highly correlated with each other. Preliminary analysis indicated that both tests may be measuring the same thing. Either the Baron SN or Posner Name score, test may be recommended for repeated measures experimentation.
Tracking Bandwidth Manipulations and Processing Resource Cost
Authors: Derrick William L. , McCloy Thomas M.
Published: January 2012

Additive factors methodology was applied to dual task data to discover the pool of resources demanded when tracking bandwidth is increased. Ten subjects tracked signals of both low and high bandwidth and performed a cognitive loading task that was constructed to demand either central processing or response execution resources. The hypothesis that bandwidth increases demand response execution resources was not supported. Experimental methodology and control are discussed as possible reasons for the failure.
Application of Prometheus III, Simulation of Human Crash Dynamics for Energy Absorption Studies
Authors: Twigg David W. , Parks Donald L.
Published: January 2012

Refinement of the PROMETHEUS III computer model of human crash dynamics to simulate the performance of energy absorbing seats is described. Calibration against test data for a plastically deforming seat is presented. Some of the characteristics that are concluded to have been important to achieving the calibration are discussed. General techniques for using the model to produce engineering trade-off data are also discussed, including exploration of alternate seating concepts. Emphasis is given to the critical need to verify model prediction capability based on calibrations using actual test data as a prerequisite to engineering acceptance and usage.