bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technological Support for Group Work: The Merits and Limitations of Computer-Supported Cooperative Work
Authors: Cornell Paul , Luchetti Robert , Mack Lisbeth A. , Olson Gary M. , Stone Phil , Sundstrom Eric 
Published: January 2012

There is a strong trend in American business towards the use of teams and groups. New products are being introduced to support this emerging work style. A new field of study, commonly known as computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), has emerged which focuses on provided electronic support for group activities. One particularly active area is the electronic meeting room, where computers support teams meeting in the same time and place. These facilities typically provide meeting participants with a terminal, keyboard and mouse and link them to a large public display. Existing rooms, some of which have been in operation for several years, accommodate anywhere from two to 48 people. To date, most of the research attention has been devoted to developing the hardware and software for these facilities. This focus is shifting and research is now underway addressing the impact of CSCW on group performance and viability. This panel has three objectives: to discuss the merits and limitations of CSCW in the context of organizational, environmental and technological factors, to predict its potential impact now and in the future, and to discuss a research agenda. The opinions of the panelists are mixed. Some feel CSCW has already proven its value, even though the technology is in its infancy and the data are anecdotal–its worth will only improve with time. Others are concerned about trying to design and provide tools for a process that is not well defined or measured–other more important issues need to be addressed first. Consensus exists on the need for more empirical research, but the nature and priorities of that research agenda is a subject of debate.
A Validation of SWAT as a Measure of Workload Induced by Changes in Operator Capacity
Authors: Hankey Jonathan M. , Dingus Thomas A. 
Published: January 2012

The primary focus of much of the workload research over the years has been the sensitivity of the mental workload measures to changes in task demands. However, as Wickens (1984) hypothesizes, the construct of workload is, in actuality, an interaction between the supply of operator mental resources available to devote to a task and to the demands of that task (i.e., “residual capacity”). Therefore, workload fluctuations can occur from either changes in operator capacity or changes in task demand. A study was performed to investigate the interactive effects of workload induced by changes in task difficulty, fatigue induced by time-on-task and fatigue induced by sleep deprivation on pilot performance. The focus of the current paper is on a finding that Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (SWAT) varied reliably for both the main effects of time-on-task and sleep deprivation, as well as for task difficulty. This finding indicates that SWAT, and probably subjective measures in general, are sensitive to workload induced by changes in operator capacity induced by fatigue. Implications of this finding for workload measurement in general are discussed.
Small Rotary Controls: Limitations for People with Arthritis
Authors: Metz Stephen , Isle Brian , Denno Sandra , Li Wang 
Published: January 2012

Improving access for persons with arthritis requires consideration of their basic abilities. This paper focuses on the design of knobs and how variations in key design factors can either create barriers or provide access for persons with arthritis. This information will provide input for human factor design guidelines that will promote universal access in home and workplace. Subjects for this study included 80 individuals with diagnosed rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, with an equal number in a control group. The test apparatus included a set of round knobs mounted on an apparatus for measuring static torque. We tested knobs of two diameters and varying surfaces and profiles. A pinch strength test was also conducted. Results showed individuals with arthritis applied significantly less torque to all control knobs than did control subjects and had relatively more difficulty with the larger knobs. The pinch test results correlated well for each subject with their applied torque on the rotary controls.
Usability Testing: Identifying Functional Requirements for Data Logging Software
Authors: Philips Brian H. , Dumas Joseph S. 
Published: January 2012

One of the new tools in human factors today is usability testing. More and more human factors professionals are conducting these tests to get accurate feedback from typical users to improve the usability, overall quality, and sales of their products. American Institutes for Research has been doing usability testing for five years now and have discussed testing with the directors of many labs. We have a body of knowledge and experience from which other professionals can benefit. In particular, we will be discussing data logging software and the functional requirements for it. In this paper we will describe the requirements for data logging software to log data, edit the data log, back up data and analyze data. Due to the scarcity of commercially available data logging packages (we know of only one at the present time) we found it necessary to write our own software for use in our usability lab and we know others are doing the same. Based on our experience of writing and using this software, we will describe the important functional requirements for data logging software.
Development of Camera Symbols for Consumers
Authors: Crist Brian , Aurello David N. 
Published: January 2012

The objective of this work was to develop a prioritized and tested set of symbols for consumer cameras and to recommend for use to the American National Standards Institute. The work was carried out in two phases, message indentification and symbol construction. In the first phase, potential needs for 81 symbols for use on current and anticipated future cameras were Identified. The verbal content of the symbol messages was organized into functional groups arranged around roots. Those were prioritized according to frequency of need and importance of knowing, resulting in 15 symbols to construct. In the symbol construction phase, concepts for pictorial representations were obtained from a previous study, from modifying existing symbols and by brainstorming. A goal was to produce at least two symbol candidates per each message for testing. Test subjects' critiques of camera symbols in a previous study were applied to the content and design.
Display Characteristics and Errors at a Complex Data Entry Task
Authors: Kuntz Timothy E. , Amoroso William P. , Lewis C. Michael 
Published: January 2012

Some of the most expensive data points ever collected, outside of satellite transmissions and particle accelerators, have come from clinical trials. In large clinical studies it is common to have complex treatment protocols, large samples, and multiple distributed data collection centers. For data to be useful the study's administrators must ensure that criteria, treatments, measurements, and reporting procedures remain uniform across a large number of geographically distributed data collection sites each with its own unique administrative structure and allocation of responsibilities for the data collection task. PoP is a software system developed over the past seven years at the Epidemiology Data Center (EDC) in the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh. PoP was designed to assist in the collection of data and to provide quality assurance for clinical trial data. Data is entered locally into microcomputers running PoP at each of the participating sites. Data entry screens are closely matched to the paper forms on which the data is collected in order to facilitate entry and reduce errors. To further reduce transcription errors, PoP requires an independent second “verification” entry of each item of the form before it can pass on to a sequence of logical checking procedures. After data has passed all local verifications it is electronically transferred to a computer at the EDC.
Floor Mats
Authors: Rys Malgorzata , Konz Stephan 
Published: January 2012

During standing work, some surfaces are better than others. This study is a continuation of our previous study (Rys and Konz, 1989a). In Experiment 1 we evaluated responses of standing on concrete, on a “Footsaver” mat, a San-Eze II mat and an Optimat mat. The 20 subjects stood for 1.5 h on each of the four mats. The criteria were: foot length, width, circumference, forefoot thickness, skin instep and calf temperature. The comfort criteria were a modification of Corlett and Bishop's scale. Based on those criteria all three mats were significantly more comfortable than concrete. Comfort seems to be inversely related to mat compressibility. In Experiment 2 we investigated the relationship of abdominal endurance and lumbar flexibility to fatigue and discomfort during a simple standing task. Twelve male subjects were tested for physical characteristics. Height, limb length discrepancies, abdominal strength, and flexibility were the best predictors of comfort during 2 h standing work. Higher foot and leg temperature and lower heart rate corresponded to higher productivity.
Comparison of Spinal Profiles While Standing, Supine, Prone, and Seated in Four Chair Types: A Pilot Study
Authors: Adams Wayne P. , Stentz Terry L. , Stonecipher Brian L. , Hallbeck M. Susan 
Published: January 2012

A 3-dimensional digitizer was used to evaluate the spinal profiles of 16 subjects. These subjects (8 female, 8 male) are from 4 age ranges: 12–14, 20–22, 40–42, and 60–62 years of age. Each subject was measured in 7 different body positions to include: standing, supine, prone, and seated on one of 4 different chair styles. The 4 chairs were a metal folding chair, a stackable plastic molded chair, a 5-caster padded “secretarial” chair, and an ergonomic kneeling “posture” chair similar to a Balans® chair. The measured spinal profiles were separated into 4 spinal angles (measured with respect to a vertically projected line), the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral angles. Each spinal angle was the dependent variable for an ANOVA analysis. The independent variables were posture, age, gender, and subject. The ANOVA analysis showed that the main effect of posture was significant for the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral angles. Post hoc testing demonstrated that the supine thoracic angle differed significantly from the other 6 body postures, which were grouped together. The mean lumbar angle had two groupings. One group included the standing, prone, and supine postures, while the other group was comprised of the seated postures. The sacral angle for the standing, prone, and supine postures did not differ significantly, but were different from the seated postures. The sacral angle for the ergonomic posture chair was significantly different from the other chairs, with the magnitude of its mean angle between the standing, prone, and supine group, and the group of other seated postures.
An Anthropometric Evaluation of the TH-57 Jetranger Helicopter
Authors: Chapleski Robert C. , Adrian Edward D. 
Published: January 2012

This paper summarizes results of a questionnaire and field study evaluating the TH-57 Bell Jetranger helicopter from anthropometric aspects. A questionnaire was prepared and distributed to the student pilots asking their opinions in regard to the problems associated with operating this helicopter. Over forty responses were received and analyzed which pointed toward the problem areas. The findings of the questionnaire was used in a field test to evaluate the helicopter objectively. The respondents indicated that they had problems with a cramped cockpit environment, obstructed visibility, difficulties in reaching and even seeing some instruments and gages and several comfortability factors. The field test indicated that this helicopter is deficient in accomodating individuals within the allowable anthropometric ranges for student pilots. Additionally, many design features to aid in pilot safety and proficiency were given insufiicient attention or totally overlooked. Having identified these deficiencies, solutions were proposed to eliminate them. The result's of this study can be used to study the helicopter further and improve its design for a safer and more user friendly workspace.
Interruption of a Monotonous Activity with Complex Tasks: Effects of Individual Differences
Authors: Cabon Ph. , Coblentz A. , Mollard R. 
Published: January 2012

The fluctuations of vigilance and performance for operators working in monotonous conditions were studied in laboratory. Three experimental designs were achieved on 20 subjects: — one reference condition with a vigilance task of 3 hours 30 during day time, — one experimental condition with interruptions of monotony during the vigilance task by a sustained task, during the same day time period, — the same experimental condition during night time. The purpose was to analyse the effect of breakdown in monotony on arousal and human performance and to look for individual differences in human performance. Physiological data were collected in order to study the variation of arousal. Response times and omissions were used as performance index. Individual differences can be observed for performance and vigilance. Two kinds of behavior are defined: stable subjects and subjects characterized by fluctuations both for arousal and performance during the task. During day time period, breakdown of monotony has a positive effect on performance especially for subjects with fluctuations of arousal. Night time condition creates a sleep deprivation and the consequence is that the efficiency of the reactivation due to breakdown by sustained task is not demonstrated. Results are discussed in regard of the theory of Fisk and Schneider on automated and controlled mental processing during monotonous activities.
Are they Shooting at Me?: An Approach to Training Situational Awareness
Authors: Kass Steven J. , Herschler Daniel A. , Companion Michael A. 
Published: January 2012

This study tests the effectiveness of a training strategy to improve situational awareness skills. The training approach suggested by this study is to expose subjects initially to only those cues relevant to the task. When other extraneous cues are added, these subjects should be better at extracting those familiar cues relevant to the task than subjects who are first exposed to both relevant and irrelevant cues. Subjects trained with only the relevant cues were able to identify a significantly higher percentage (60%) of patterns than subjects trained in the cluttered environment (43%). The results support the use of the proposed training strategy for situational awareness. Signal detection theory and state-dependent learning theory are discussed in relation to the findings.
Management and Organizational Indicators of Process Safety
Authors: Van Hemel Susan B. , Connelly Edward M. , Haas Paul M. 
Published: January 2012

This study is part of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission research element on organizational factors in plant safety under the Human Factors research program. The study investigated the chemical industry, to find leading management or organizational tools which could be useful for the NRC. After collecting information from a variety of information sources, we concentrated our study on two types of indicators currently in use: the first is audit- or review-based, and concentrates on programmatic factors; the second, based on frequent behavioral observations, concentrates on the management of individual worker behaviors. We analyzed data on the relationships between the leading indicators and direct indicators such as accident and injury rates in three case studies, to determine whether sufficient evidence of validity and utility exists to justify consideration of these indicators as public safety indicators. On the basis of statistical associations and other evidence, we concluded that the two indicator types have promise for use as plant safety performance indicators, and that further development and testing of the candidate indicators should be performed.
Skill Acquisition and Task Performance in Teleoperation Using Monoscopic and Stereoscopic Video Remote Viewing
Authors: Drascic David 
Published: January 2012

There are many tasks hazardous to human life which can be accomplished remotely through telerobotic control. Robot technology has advanced to the stage where teleoperated manipulators are versatile and effective enough to be used successfully in a wide variety of circumstances. As telerobotic systems become more sophisticated, it is important to ensure that the human-machine interface is adequate for the task. One very important type of feedback information that is missing from standard telerobotic control stations is the immediate and compelling binocular coding of depth, which is thwarted through the use of standard monoscopic (“2D”) video systems, making the operator dependent on other less salient visual depth cues. This is unfortunate, since most telemanipulation tasks require operators to have a good sense of the relative locations of objects in the remote world. To that end, a practical Stereoscopic Video (SV) system was developed that is compatible with standard video display and recording equipment. An experiment was conducted to examine the potential benefits of SV for teleoperation. The results showed that SV can aid teleoperation by reducing task execution times, reducing error rates, and reducing the time needed for training.
Overconfidence, Preview, and Probability in Strategic Planning
Authors: Wickens Christopher D. , Pizarro David , Bell Brian 
Published: January 2012

This study examined biases, sources of difficulty and display support in strategic planning. Eight subjects performed a strategic planning “rescue” video game, which required them to make a series of choices regarding which node to “fly to” in order to rescue simulated casualties. After making each choice, subjects needed to fly a challenging tracking dynamics along a path to reach the next “node” in the decision space where the casualties were “rescued.” The dynamics along each path could be at one of four levels of difficulty. The difficulty determined the probability that the corridor would be flown successfully and therefore casualties rescued at the other end. To maximize their score, subjects had to consider the number of casualties at each node, the length of the path to the node (the shorter the better), and the probability they would fly the path successfully (an estimate of their own performance based on past experience). Periodically subjects were asked to give explicit estimates of those probabilities, such data provided in order for us to evaluate the calibration of estimated with true probability of success. Half the flights were flown with restricted preview of only the two nodes of the immediate choice. The other half offered full preview of the whole map. The results revealed that (a) subjects' decisions were less optimal when full preview was offered, (b) this deficiency appeared to result because full preview led subjects to rely too much on the simple strategy of choosing routes with most casualties, and neglecting the use of more abstract probability values in guiding their choices, (c) subjects appeared to be well calibrated in their confidence of traversing paths correctly
Environmental Design and Worker Control for Preventing Wmsds
Authors: O'Neill Michael J. 
Published: January 2012

Environmental control is defined as the degree to which the organization, group or individual can exert control over the physical environment as part of the process of accomplishing mission or job-related goals. This paper proposes a model which suggests that control over the physical environment may also be a means of reducing stress and work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in office workers. Control is thought to be related to both performance and WMSD issues. The model uses systemic framework, placing the individual within the larger context of the workstation, workspace, and the overall facility. The potential for control exists from the macro (facility level) to the micro (individual workstation) environmental scale. Control can be exercised through several mechanisms, including: flexibility of initial building design (reuseability, ability to expand or downsize), overall layout of the work group environment (group ability to self-manage and reconfigure space) and flexibility of workstation features (such as task lighting, storage, shelving, work surface height, enclosure, VDT, HVAC).
Human Factors and Design Factors: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Authors: Smith Thomas J. 
Published: January 2012

Since its emergence, the field of human factors has been engaged in an ongoing debate regarding the scientific essence of the discipline. Many observers believe that the crux of the debate centers upon the link between human factors and design factors, or performance-design interaction. Presenters in this symposium offer a series of perspectives on this theme, in relation to: (1) emphasis on behavioral considerations in design of complex automated systems (Meister); (2) emphasis on contextual specificity in teaching of design (Moray); (3) an ecological analysis of human-environment interaction as an integrated system (Flach); and (4) core principles of human factors science centered upon performance-design interaction (Smith). The rationale for this symposium rests upon the widespread belief that the relationship between performance and design represents the defining issue of human factors science. That is, through its focus on functional integration of performance and design, human factors departs from the traditional dissected treatment of these phenomena by psychology and engineering. Therefore, the status of human factors science as an integral discipline may be considered to rest upon the answer to the question of how and why human behavior and performance vary in relation to design factors in the performance environment. Papers presented in this symposium provide insight into this question from a number of different perspectives.
Providing Useful Human Factors Guidance to Aviation Maintenance Practitioners
Authors: Maddox Michael E. 
Published: January 2012

The Aloha Airlines B-737 accident in 1989 prompted a general evaluation of aviation maintenance and inspection practices. A consistent finding from the Aloha analyses was that human-factors-related issues played a significant role in the accident. In the intervening period, the FAA Office of Aviation Medicine (AAM) has sponsored a wideranging, applied human factors research program. The Human Factors Guide for Aviation Maintenance (the Guide) is the primary vehicle for channeling the results of the AAM's research program into the aviation user community. This paper describes the development process of the Human Factors Guide for Aviation Maintenance. We include a discussion of how the existing base of research results has been made accessible and, more importantly, usable to aviation maintenance supervisors and inspectors. We also describe the considerations related to widely disseminating the information and guidance contained in the Guide. We believe this to be the first time that detailed human factors guidance from such a broad topical range has been tailored to a particular, applied, user domain.