bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Empirical Investigation of Aids for Non-Programming Users in Developing Cost Effective Requirements Specifications
Authors: Connelly Edward M. 
Published: January 2012

The difficulties of the non-programming user in developing quality software-requirements specifications are well known and described in the literature. Typically, the user will work with a software expert to develop the specifications. During this process the user must learn new terms and concepts, and must attempt to identify the required functions of the resulting software product. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the capability of non-programming users (in this case experienced inventory managers) to develop specifications for an inventory error-control system. Participants specified tests from a set of available tests to detect possible errors in inventory change-records, i.e., in inventory updates. Costing-aids were provided that were analogs of aids that are expected to be presently available. The costing-aids provided an increasing data on system cost: the total system cost, the total system cost plus the costs of each part of the system, and an automatic sort of previous designs according to cost. Results shewed that problem-complexity had a strong effect on performance; greater problem-complexity resulted in more costly designs. Further, the more complete costing-aids tended to degrade performance on the simple problems, yet they improved performance on the more complex problem. It was concluded that the ability of non-programming users to develop least-cost requirements specifications was poor when using any of the aids that were made available. The experimental results, however, suggested new approaches for procedural and computational support for the non-programming user, that could lead to more suitable costing-aids.
The Effects of Supervisor Experience and the Presence of a Shift Technical Advisor on the Performance of Two-Man Crews in a Nuclear Power Plant Simulator
Authors: Beare Arthur N. , Dorris Roy E. 
Published: January 2012

This report describes a training simulator experiment to evaluate the effects of the experience level of the Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) and the presence of a Shift Technical Advisor (STA) on the performance of nuclear power plant control room crews. Sixteen two-man crews of licensed operators were employed in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The SROs leading the crews were split into “high” and “low” experience groups on the basis of their years of experience as an SRO. One half of the high- and low-SRO experience groups were assisted by an STA or an SRO acting as an STA. The crews responded to four simulated plant casualties. A five-variable set of content-referenced performance measures was derived from task analyses of the procedurally correct responses to the four casualties. System parameters and control manipulations were recorded by the computer controlling the simulator. Data on communications and procedure use were obtained from analysis of videotapes of the exercises. Questionnaires were used to collect subject biographical information and data on subjective workload during each simulated casualty. For four of the five performance measures, no significant differences were found between groups led by “high” (25–114 months) and “low” (1–17 months as an SRO) experience SROs. However, crews led by “low” experience SROs tended to have significantly shorter task performance times than crews led by “high” experience SROs. The presence of the STA had no significant effect on overall team performance in responding to the four simulated casualties.
An Assessment of Four Cockpit Displays
Authors: Wozniak William , Gardner Daryle J. , Lienert Jeanette , Gokie Steven 
Published: January 2012

Three experiments assessed four types of aircraft cockpit displays. One display was a circular format whereas the other three were vertical formats. Of the three vertical displays, one had a moving pointer, the remaining two had vertical bars whose length indicated engine status. The stimuli were prepared on 5 × 5 cm slides. Each slide portrayed either 2, 3, or 4 engines using a particular display-type. On any slide, exactly one of these engines was out of tolerance, i.e., above or below a particular level. Half of the slides were prepared with one engine above tolerance, and half with one engine below. Subjects were instructed to view each slide and report which engine was out of tolerance. Response time and errors were the dependent measures. Experiment One showed that vertical formats with moving bars lead to the best performance, followed by a vertical format with a moving pointer. Poorest performance was observed for the circular displays. Experiment Two assessed the four display-types under conditions of good or poor discriminability (clear-cut or borderline.) In the borderline conditions, all engine readouts were within 10% of the total display distance from the tolerance line. In the clear-cut conditions, the readouts were at least 25% of the total display distance from the tolerance line. The pattern of results seen in Experiment One was seen in both the clear-cut and borderline conditions of Experiment Two. Experiment Three assessed the displays over five days of extended practice. Again, the same pattern of results revealed itself. Over the five days, both response time and errors reflected improved performance. However, on day five, errors were not completely eliminated in the circular display-types and in the vertical display-types with moving pointer. Errors were eliminated for the other displays. The relative efficacy of each display-type are discussed with regard to number of engines, discriminability of readouts, and practice.
Window Design for a Professional Workstation in the Office Environment
Authors: Murray J. Thomas , Hakkinen Markku T. , Mackraz James D. 
Published: January 2012

This presentation describes the development of the user interface for a windowing system implemented on a multi-tasking professional workstation used in the office environment. The project was completed under severe schedule restrictions which impacted the implementation tradeoffs for user interface design. The functional and user interface goals for the windowing system were as follows: • The user should be able to subdivide the screen with a different application running in each window. • The user should be able to quickly and easily move between open windows/applications. • Operation of an application within a window should be the same as when the application is full screen. • The user should be able to quickly alternate between a partial view and a full-screen view of an application.
Case Studies in Low Back Pain
Authors: Khalil Tarek M. , Asfour S.S. , Moty E.A. 
Published: January 2012

This paper examines a number of cases involving injuries resulting in low back pain. Case history is given together with an Ergonomic evaluation profile. An aggressive low back rehabilitation program has been applied to all reported cases. The result of this rehabilitation effort related to improvement of functional abilities is given. The relationship to job environment is also discussed. The paper demonstrates the cost effectiveness considerations of low back pain rehabilitation programs with combined reference to worker's compensation laws, health care costs and productivity factors involved.
Conceptual Design of A Human-Computer Interface: A Case Study in Design Methodology
Authors: Rappold Virginia A. , Sibert John L. 
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this case study was to document and evaluate the application of a top-down design methodology (Foley & van Dam, 1982) to a pre-existing computer system to test the methodology's usefulness as well as to gain insights into the design process itself. System experts advocate design of a system “top-down” instead of “bottom-up” as a way to sequentially examine the complex task of interface design while allowing re-examination of previous steps in that design (Foley, 1981). The study involved a menu-based, mini-computer system designed at Goddard Space Flight Center called the Mission Planning Terminal (MPT). The MPT will be used at Goddard for planning and scheduling of satellite activities through the NASA Network Control Center (NCC). The scheduler/analyst's task includes submitting a schedule of activities for his mission, transmitting it to NCC, and then modifying the returned schedule, if necessary, using the MPT. The top-down design process is distinctly divided into four phases: conceptual, semantic, syntactic, and lexical (Foley, 1981). The first phase, conceptual, consists of defining key application concepts needed by the user. The semantic phases involve defining meanings such as information needed in order to use an object. The syntactic design defines sequences of inputs (similar to English grammar rules) and outputs (the two and three dimensional organization of the display). The last step, lexical design, describes how words in the input/output sequence are formed from the existing hardware input (Foley & van Dam, 1982). The top-down methodology was applied using MPT documentation and interviews with the designers. During this process, it became clear that although a conceptual model of the MPT existed somewhere, it was never recorded. This led to numerous attempts to extract the main conceptual components of the system from the software operations documents which were constantly changed and were often incomplete. Finally, based on preliminary screen designs, state diagrams were constructed to map out components of the system. By characterization of the MPT in this way (using state diagrams), a clearer picture emerged that finally led to understanding the conceptual model. Once the conceptual model was extracted, redesign of the system, using the top-down method, quickly followed. This case study clearly emphasizes the need for a complete and accurate conceptual model if a top-down approach is to be applied. When redesigning an existing system, it frequently becomes necessary to “extract” this model in a bottom-up manner as was the case here.
A Case Study: Comparison of an Automated Work Environment to Proposed State Laws
Authors: Palermo Susan A. 
Published: January 2012

Within the past few years many studies have reported a number of problems resulting from the introduction of computers into the office environment. As a result, academia, professional groups and societies, government agencies and unions have been involved in evaluating the issues of concern. In addition, several states have proposed laws addressing the interface of the human with the VDT. Major components of these laws include: ○ Specific requirements for workstation design ○ Provision for adequate illumination ○ Provision for work/rest periods ○ Education of VDT users This paper will detail a case study comparing existing conditions of an automated office environment with the proposed VDT laws. Included will be a review of a proposed standard and a discussion of existing ergonomic problems such as visual problems; inadequate workspace; misuse and poor design of office furniture; musculoskeletal, psychological and emotional stresses; and lack of upper management awareness. This paper will also include recommendations to improve the evaluated work environment so that it meets the requirements of the proposed law.
Selection, Design and Evaluation of Bus Stop Information
Authors: Zwaga H.J.G. , Schonk J.J. 
Published: January 2012

The purpose of the project was to determine the content and lay-out of information to be presented on bus stops in The Netherlands. Three phases are distinguished in the work of the project team: (1) determine the need felt for the presentation of a number of information items at bus stops, (2) evaluate the usefulness of the different items selected by a user's sample, and compare the merits of lay-out variants when necessary, (3) propose a final selection of the information items and lay-out of the information, taking into account practical and financial constraints. The initial selection of the information items was mainly based on the outcome of a questionnaire (1000 bus passengers) and interviews with bus company personnel. It was decided to determine, in a user's test, the usefulness of some of the information items proposed and especially to compare the effectiveness of two lay-out variants of the main information item i.e. the timetable. The two variants differed only in the way in which the departure times for all lines calling at a bus stop were presented. The ‘continuous’ format presented the departure times for all lines in the same table in a chronological order. The ‘separate’ format presented the departure times for each line in a separate table. The currently used timetable was included in the test as a third variant. About 700 inexperienced bus passengers participated in the user's test. They were asked to find the departure time for the next bus leaving for a given destination. Each passenger solved two equivalent problems using only one of the three lay-outs. In addition the level of understanding of trip duration information and the concept of limited stop services was determined. At the same time data were collected on the effect of some layout aspects. The overall results showed that the ‘continuous’ time table variant gave the least errors. Problem solving time for this variant was second best behind the ‘separate’ variant. The difference between the solving times of the new variants disappeared when subjects solved the second problem. The error level of the three variants did not change from the first to the second problem. With regard to the other subjects of investigation, the user's test showed that the way of providing trip duration information was not much of a help. The limited stop services facility was well understood. The information about the other, lay-out related points, could be incorporated in the final proposal. This proposal distinguishes between six functional types of bus stops each with a different set of information items.
New Frontiers for Human Factors Science and Technology: Defense Panel
Authors: Taylor Henry L. , Chair Panel 
Published: January 2012

The Defense Panel includes three members from the Military Departments who are involved in Defense Human Factors science and technology programs at three management levels. Each will present a brief discussion of the current and projected human factors problems related to weapon systems development and operation and and will also discuss the research and development efforts to address these problems. First, Mr. Gary Morton, Director of Navy Laboratories, Navy Material Command, will discuss Navy human factors problems and programs from a broad Navy Laboratories point-of-view. As Commander of the Aerospace Medical Division, Major General John W. Ord (USAF, MC) brings the perspective of the manager of all human factors research and development for the Air Force. Dr. Edgar M. Johnson, Technical Director, Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) will present the Army's human factors needs and ARI's science and technology programs which focus on these needs. The objective of the Defense Panel is to provide a forum in which current and future problems in military systems are discussed. The human factors science and technology programs to solve the problems will also be discussed. During the past decade, the Department of Defense weapons system development process has been modified to more effectively include human factors considerations throughout the entire spectrum of the weapon system development and employment. Most current and projected military weapon systems have a significant human operator component. This human operator component requires consideration of a wide variety of issues: protective systems, human performance capabilities, personnel skills/quality, training, personnel manning and related costs considerations, performance measurement, human/machine interface (especially computer), decision making and military organizational factors. Also the more traditional human factors problems such as displays and controls, task allocations and operator station design require consideraton. A major issue that the Panel will consider concerns the human factors of the engineering process and how human factors science and technology can impact this process. Examples of current and future weapon systems problems and the science and technology initiatives to solve these problems will be discussed.
Sex Differences in Joint Mobility
Authors: Rene' K. 
Published: January 2012

The primary purpose of this study was to provide a contemporary comparison of college female and male voluntary range of joint mobility. This was achieved by comparing the data collected in this study with that collected in an identical study in which male participants were used. Data were gathered from college females to determine their voluntary range of joint movement. One hundred female students at Texas ASM University participated in the study. The instruments used to take the measures were two hand-held bubble level electrogoniometers. Thirty-two movements of eight different joints of the body were measured. A second goal was to update and broaden the data base of female voluntary flexibility. This goal was met by reporting the data gathered from the female college sample and providing pertinent design information. In addition, the current female data were compared against present design standards. Finally, the present study data and that of the identical male study were combined to allow a comparison with an earlier study of sex differences in joint mobility. Results of this study indicate that females are generally more flexible than males. Significant differences were found to exist in twenty-six of the thiry-two comparisons made between this study and the corresponding male study. In twenty-four of these comparisons, females were found to have greater flexibility. The differences in joint mobility reported were attributed to real differences between the sexes since the methodologies were identical and the samples were drawn from equivalent populations. Comparisons between this study and the current design standards yielded conflicting results due to differences in methodologies and samples. Significant differences were found to exist in the comparisons made between the present data combined with the current male data and an earlier study concerning sex differences in flexibility. These differences were also attributed to differences in methodologies. Both comparisons drew the same conclusion, however: females are generally more flexible than males.
Human Factors and Gerontology, two Persepctives: Industrial and Clinical
Authors: Czaja Sara J. , Jones Margaret Hubbard , Fozard James , Czaja Sara J. , Faletti Martin V. , Baker James D. 
Published: January 2012

The objective of this panel session is to discuss the roles of human factors engineering with respect to the area of gerontology. The focus will be on two elderly subpopulations, the well and active elderly and the debilitated, sick elderly. With respect to the well elderly, the discussion will center around the increasing numbers of elderly people in the labor force and how human factors engineers need to provide for this population in the design of jobs, equipment and work environments. General trends in employment patterns for the elderly population will be discussed and statistics will be given on the number of elderly in the population, the types of roles the elderly are assuming and where the elderly will be employed. Since the use of computer technologies is pervasive across occupational settings, there will be an emphasis on aging and the use of computers. This part of the discussion will focus on software design, equipment design and training.
Naval Sea System Command's Approach to Human Factors in the 1980's: Changing Times
Authors: Kopp Walter H. , Malone Thomas B. , Andrews Phillip J. , Feaga Robert P. 
Published: January 2012

There is an emerging concern for applying human factors to the design and support of naval ships and weapon systems. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is making significant progress in the application of human factors technology for the ultimate benefit of those who must operate and maintain the fleets of the future. This paper will address the current status of human factors within NAVSEA. In doing so, we shall review what has been done in the past, then assess the present, and finally we will suggest additional requirements that need attention. Higher level recognition of the role of human factors is evidenced by promulgation of formal directives from the Department of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Naval Material, and Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. Principal contributions expected from the application of an effective human factors program are to define human functions in man-machine systems and to design procedures and equipment to ensure that those functions can be performed under all expected operational conditions. The specific outcome would be realized in the form of a high level of personnel readiness in the fleet to assure that a system's assigned functions can indeed be performed, with the ultimate aim being to sustain a high level of system readiness and ship's effectiveness.
Human Engineering Implications of CBR Warfare on Ship Design and a Methodological Approach to their Consideration
Authors: Marton Theodore , Hunt Paul D. 
Published: January 2012

Due to the increasing possibility of Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) threat elements being directed at Naval Forces at sea; all new ships designs must, by congressional mandate, provide effective protection for the ships crew. In addition, all ship systems and MMI must be designed to survive and continue to function during and following a less than catastrophic CBR strike. An Integrated Human Factors Engineering approach based on identifying and applying “System Level” Human Factors (HF) interactions to “Component Level” Human Factors concerns are described along with minimal CBR specific areas of HF concern.
Experimental Studies of Process Control
Authors: Moray Neville , Rotenberg Ira 
Published: January 2012

In the 1960s Crossman performed some classic laboratory studies of process control, requiring the operator to control the temperature of a container of fluid against fluctuations caused by the environment. This led to a model of the novice controller as a damped second order controller, who changed to open loop control with practice. We have recently repeated and extended this work with a simulated process control system made up of 4 Crossman tasks coupled together, and making the task more complex by requiring temperature, fluid level, and flow rate all to be controlled. Two aspects of the research will be reported. The first deals with the behavioural data. Changing patterns of skill are revealed as changes in the transition matrices. Weaknesses in display design, and cognitive lockup during fault management are revealed by patterns of eye movements. The second problem is a generic problem in the analysis of complex user-machine system. What kind of summary statistics are appropriate for describing operator skill? The problem here is that the desired performance is specified as a goal, not as behaviour. Since there are many behaviour patterns any of which can satisfy the goal, averaging is not appropriate, since the result frequently approximates noise. But to record merely a catalogue of individual behaviours is clumsy, and also fails to capture the fact that something is in fact present as a common factor in all performance - namely satisfactory achievement of the goal. The problem is how to represent the core of behaviour. Various methods will be described for overcoming this problem of representing complex dynamic behaviour, and their virtues and drawbacks discussed. The overall aim is to suggest improved ways to investigate process control and supervisory control.