DESIGNING FOR DIVERSITY: INCLUSIVE SAMPLING

Rod D. Roscoe

doi:10.22570/ergodesignhci.v9i1.1502

Abstract

Experts in human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) and related fields have the ability and responsibility to broadly serve the needs and goals of diverse people, which encompasses issues of inclusion, equity, and justice. Importantly, HF/E designers, researchers, and practitioners can address these aims both as the intended outcomes of their work and how the work itself is conducted. Both pathways support progress toward more inclusive and equitable organizations and societies. This paper focuses upon one aspect of inclusive methodology—strategies for inclusive sampling. Sampling is an important focus because of its fundamental role in defining the internal and external validity of findings. Moreover, sampling is how diverse participants and perspectives are incorporated (or not), and thus represents an early way that exclusion, inequity, or inaccessibility may manifest. Three heuristic questions and six sets of strategies are briefly articulated: (1) purposive sampling, (2) oversampling, (3) community sampling, (4) removing barriers of distance, cost, communication, and awareness, (5) building trust, and (6) inclusive demographic categories. A variety of sources are cited to facilitate readers’ further consideration of these issues in their own HF/E endeavors.

Highlights

Human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) and related fields emphasize the centrality of human needs, goals, capabilities, and constraints in the design of systems that will work for people (Roscoe et al, 2019)
HF/E has a crucial responsibility and opportunity to advocate for equity, inclusion, and justice (Chiou & Roscoe, 2021; Roscoe, Chiou, & Wooldridge, 2020)
HF/E scholars and practitioners can redefine the scope of their work in terms of solving meaningful social and societal problems and developing more equitable and inclusive systems, such as fairer elections, food and water security, sustainability, mental health care, and reducing social isolation (Rogers et al, 2020)

Summary

Introduction

Human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) and related fields emphasize the centrality of human needs, goals, capabilities, and constraints in the design of systems that will work for people (Roscoe et al, 2019). HF/E scholars and practitioners can redefine the scope of their work in terms of solving meaningful social and societal problems and developing more equitable and inclusive systems, such as fairer elections, food and water security, sustainability, mental health care, and reducing social isolation (Rogers et al, 2020) Another important element of attaining societal impact is communicating such contributions to the broader public via education, outreach, and the news media (Roscoe et al, 2020). The remainder of this paper briefly discusses the importance of representative sampling, threats to inclusive sampling, and strategies for inclusive sampling

Sampling and Exclusion

Inclusive Sampling Strategies

Strategy 1

Strategy 2

Strategy 3

Strategy 4

Strategy 5

Strategy 6

Findings

Conclusion