Area Of Human Factors Research Articles

Enhancing Robot Behavior with EEG, Reinforcement Learning and Beyond: A Review of Techniques in Collaborative Robotics

Collaborative robotics is a major topic in current robotics research, posing new challenges, especially in human–robot interaction. The main aspect in this area of research focuses on understanding the behavior of robots when engaging with humans, where reinforcement learning is a key discipline that allows us to explore sophisticated emerging reactions. This review aims to delve into the relevance of different sensors and techniques, with special attention to EEG (electroencephalography data on brain activity) and its influence on the behavior of robots interacting with humans. In addition, mechanisms available to mitigate potential risks during the experimentation process such as virtual reality are also be addressed. In the final part of the paper, future lines of research combining the areas of collaborative robotics, reinforcement learning, virtual reality, and human factors are explored, as this last aspect is vital to ensuring safe and effective human–robot interactions.

Evaluaciones de Diseño y Experiencia de Usuario en Realidad Virtual: Una Revisión Bibliográfica Sistematizada Avaliações da Experiência do Usuário em Realidade Virtual: Uma Revisão Bibliográfica Sistematizada sob a ótica do Design

Virtual Reality (VR) technology provides the sensation of immersion in virtual digital spaces, through interactions that occur in different dimensions of perceptions. Considering the lack of research involving VR in evaluations of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Emotional Design, and User Experience, the present study aimed to investigate the state-of-the-art in this subject. For this, a systematic literature review was carried out. The question to be answered is: How do users change behavior in visual interaction with different artifacts in real and virtual environments and how that influences the perception (emotional, semantic, and usability) of individuals? Structured analyzes were applied to scientific articles that address the experience of healthy adult participants and their interaction relationship with environments and artifacts immersed in VR. After screening and in-depth reading steps, 27 articles were selected for meta-analysis discussions. The results point to the existence of a scientific gap since the works found and analyzed only partially answered the research question, which, because of this, may indicate an open field for studies involving VR This technology can be a viable tool with potential of assisting and complementing the methodological processes already consolidated in the Design and Human Factors areas.

Methodology based on causes of accidents for forcasting the effects of falls from scaffoldings using the construction industry in poland as an example

Every year, there are several thousand occupational accidents on Polish construction sites. Many of them are related to the use of building scaffolding. Depending on the type of injury, accidents are classified as light, severe or fatal. This article presents a methodology, which is based on identified causes, for predicting the effects (severity) of falls from building scaffolding. The basis for the research was a set of 200 accidents that occurred on Polish construction sites in 2011. Information on the accidents was obtained from the archives of the National Labor Inspectorate. For each fall from scaffolding, the following were identified (in accordance with the Polish TOH methodology): technical (T), organizational (O) and human (H) causes of the accident, as well as its effects. The significance of the causes was assessed in each group using Pareto-Lorenz analysis and the ABC classification. Significant causes include those that were identified in over 80% of accidents. These causes were taken into account in the further analyzes. In order to define the relationship between the identified significant causes of an accident, and its effect, an original methodology of screening was proposed. It involved the assigning of the possible effects of accidents to each theoretical combination of accident causes. For this purpose, computational scripts in the Python programming language were developed. The test results allowed for the percentage determination of the probability of light, severe and fatal consequences of an accident for each of the combinations of significant causes. The conducted research is of great importance for science and engineering practice. The obtained test results can be used to estimate the occupational risk of work carried out on building scaffoldings. The developed computational models enable the consequences of accidents to be easily and quickly forecast, depending on the deficiencies and shortcomings identified “in situ” in the area of scaffolding assembly, work organization and human factors. Good identification of the factors influencing the severity of accidents allows high-risk factors to be distinguished and specific preventive measures to be developed.

Maturity Models for Managing People in Software Development Teams: A Systematic Literature Review

Human factors are fundamental to software development, hence the need to understand people-oriented maturity models in development teams. This article aims to identify the maturity models for people management in software development teams cited in the literature, in order to identify evidence about their use, benefits and limitations, and the human aspects involved. A systematic literature review (SLR) was carried out, where automatic searches were done in four search engines, congresses in the area of ​​human factors within software engineering, in addition to a manual search. Evidence indicates that there are numerous models aimed at developing people in development teams, but few are applied. Models based on observation and informal discussion were found, as well as non-validated models, indicating the scarcity of models applicable to people in software engineering. However, complete but complex models were also found, indicating that a more transparent, dynamic and simple process is needed for people's development. In the observed human factors, emphasis is placed on communication, collaboration, knowledge, learning, self-management, motivation and skills in general. Keywords: Maturity models; Human Factors; Software Development Teams; Teams; People DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-14-02 Publication date: July 31 st 2022

Human Factors and Organizational Issues Section Synopsis IMIA Yearbook 2021

SummaryObjective: To select the best papers that made original and high impact contributions in the area of human factors and organizational issues in biomedical informatics in 2020. Methods: A rigorous extraction process based on queries from Web of Science® and PubMed/Medline was conducted to identify the scientific contributions published in 2020 that address human factors and organizational issues in biomedical informatics. The screening of papers on titles and abstracts independently by the two section editors led to a total of 1,562 papers. These papers were discussed for a selection of 12 finalist papers, which were then reviewed by the two section editors, two chief editors, and by three external reviewers from internationally renowned research teams. Results: The query process resulted in 12 papers that reveal interesting and rigorous methods and important studies in human factors that move the field forward, particularly in clinical informatics and emerging technologies such as brain-computer interfaces. This year three papers were clearly outstanding and help advance in the field. They provide examples of applying existing frameworks together in novel and highly illuminating ways, showing the value of theory development in human factors. Emerging themes included several which discussed physician burnout, mobile health, and health equity. Those concerning the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) were included as part of that section. Conclusion: The selected papers make important contributions to human factors and organizational issues, expanding and deepening our knowledge of how to apply theory and applications of new technologies in health.

Exploring human factors in the operating room: a protocol for a scoping review of training offerings for healthcare professionals

IntroductionApplying human factors principles in surgical care has potential benefits for patient safety and care delivery. Although different theoretical frameworks of human factors exist, how providers are being trained in...

Human Factors and Organizational Issues.

Summary Objective : To select the best papers that made original and high impact contributions in the area of human factors and organizational issues in biomedical informatics in 2019. Methods : A rigorous extraction process based on queries from Web of Science® and PubMed/Medline was conducted to identify the scientific contributions published in 2019 that address human factors and organizational issues in biomedical informatics. The screening of papers on titles and abstracts independently by the two editors led to a total of 30 papers. These papers were discussed for a selection of 15 finalist papers, which were then reviewed by the two editors and by three external reviewers from internationally renowned research teams. Results : The query process resulted in 626 papers that reveal interesting and rigorous methods and important studies in human factors that move the field forward, particularly in clinical informatics and emerging technologies such as brain-computer interfaces. This year three papers were clearly outstanding and help advance the field. They provide examples of applying existing frameworks together in novel and highly illuminating ways, showing the value of theory development in human factors. Conclusion : The selected papers make important contributions to human factors and organizational issues, expanding and deepening our knowledge of how to apply theory and applications of new technologies in health.

An Exploration of Patient Ergonomics in Historically Marginalized Communities

The growing field of patient ergonomics is built on an understanding that patients and their social network members increasingly play a key role in managing their health and healthcare across a wide range of settings including the home, workplace, and community. Over the last several years, we have traced, explored, and debated emerging research in this area, including the theories, methods, and strategies for implementation that are needed to support this new area of human factors and ergonomics. In this current panel, we begin a new dialogue in this space, one that is inspired not only by our previous discussions but also by recent conversations in our community about the need for human factors and ergonomics to consider issues of inclusivity, diversity, and social justice. To that end, each of our five panelists will present the patient ergonomics research they are conducting within a historically marginalized community or population and highlight lessons learned from their experiences. This presentation of work spanning considerations of gender, age, race, geographic setting, educational background, and disability will serve as a foundation for a wider discussion with the audience about how patient ergonomics as a field can prioritize and support this type of work.

Assessing Human Factors Maturity

Human factors is an integral part of achieving successful organisational and health and safety performance. It is a discipline which focuses on the human element to understand and improve the interaction between people and complex systems. In the process industries, human factors is concerned with human behaviour and performance, particularly in relation to reducing the risk of incidents and accidents.Many factors influence health and safety performance and behaviour and there are recurring themes related to how people have contributed to major accidents in the past. Applying human factors requires consideration of the depth of the different topic areas, whilst recognising the breadth of coverage and the need to approach the subject from a holistic perspective. Typically, it is challenging to know where to start, and to know which specific Human factors areas should be prioritised.The Human Factors Maturity Model (HFM M) was developed by the Keil Centre to enable organisations to assess their own level of Human Factors Maturity (Human Factors Maturity is a registered trademark of The Keil Centre Ltd). The model presents an opportunity for organisations to assess how mature they are in managing human factors, but importantly, to pinpoint where to focus future efforts. The HFM M uses a 5-level scale to determine an organisation's level of maturity. It includes 12 key human factors elements which have been identified from empirical research and from mining human factors literature. The model was developed using the combined expertise of seven human factors specialists at the Keil Centre and tested with the cooperation of an industry partner.The model was further developed into an interactive tool for application in a workshop format. A cross-section of organisational representatives is invited to participate to assess their current level of Human Factors Maturity for each of the 12 elements using a card-sort methodology. Once the level for each element has been determined, the current arrangements are described and the requirements to improve maturity to the next level for each element are identified. At this point, the priorities for action are defined based on their importance to the organisation, taking account of the elements most in need of development. This assessment supports the development of a human factors strategy and an action plan. The HFM M has been tested in the energy and chemical production sectors.

Cross-sector investigation into simulator-based training for maternity emergency management: competence-based issues

ABSTRACTThis paper reports a cross-sector reflection on a current, simulation-based program for maternity emergency management in an Australian healthcare site. It aims to develop our understandings of how learning can be enhanced through simulation and debriefing practices. It discovers how the healthcare and aviation sectors, which have seen increasing collaboration in areas of human factors and non-technical skills in the last decade, can continue to evolve beyond these areas and considers what each sector can learn from the other. A cross-sector research team observed a one-day course on maternity emergencies. The observers took reflective notes progressively throughout the day and held a post-course discussion about their observations and reflections. Thematic analyses of their cross-sector reflections – observation notes and a transcribed team discussion – identified vague understandings of occupational competence embedded in current simulation-based practices. Possible avenues to improve practices were identified, taking into consideration the differing views among researchers from different sectors.

POLEMOLOGICAL PARADIGM OF COMPREHENSION OF ESSENCE OF HYBRID WAR

The article is devoted to the methodological problems and manipulative mechanisms of hybrid warfare, analyzed in the collective monograph War: in verbo et in praxi. Due to the appeal to the polemical approach, its authors have managed to systematize and generalize the theory of war and peace, analyze the modern Western concepts of war, to indicate the specifics of the Russian viewpoint on the concept of hybrid war, to evaluate the importance of information and manipulation technologies for hybrid wars, to analyze a number of geopolitical and socio-cultural aspects of modern hybrid wars. Polemology examines the universal features of armed conflicts, their role in time and space, cycles, and classification. Hybrid warfare involves the use of existing military assets, regular and irregular, including weapons of mass destruction, as well as information, psychological and advocacy wars with the use of emerging communications and media technologies. According to the classical approach, the state is the sole subject of hostilities, but today its role has changed dramatically under the influence of other political and economic, supranational and transboundary factors. To study wars and armed conflicts from a polemical point of view, this means the need to focus on social changes in all areas of human life, including political, economic, and technological factors that influence war as a social phenomenon.

Does size matter? Spacious car cockpits may increase the probability of parking violations

Cockpit design is a core area of human factors and ergonomics (HF/E). Ideally, good design compensates for human capacity limitations by distributing task requirements over human and interface to improve safety and performance. Recent empirical findings suggest that the mere spatial layout of car cockpits may influence driver behaviour, expanding current views on HF/E in cockpit design. To assess the reliability of findings showing that an expansive driver seat space predicts parking violations, we replicated an original field study in a geographically and socio-culturally different location and included an additional covariate. After controlling for car length, brand status, and car price, driver seat space remained a positive predictor of illegal parking. This suggests that the spatial design of vehicle cockpits may indeed have an influence on driver behaviour and may therefore be a relevant dimension to be included in research and applications of HF/E in cockpit design.Practitioner summary: In car cockpit design, ergonomists typically focus on optimising human–machine interfaces to improve traffic safety. We replicate evidence showing that increasing physical space surrounding the driver relates to an increased probability of parking violations. This suggests that spatial design should be added to the ergonomist's toolbox for reducing traffic violations.

Town Hall on Patient-Centered Human Factors and Ergonomics

A central paradigm in the current era of health and healthcare is the centrality of patients, families, and community members in their own health. Patients and other nonprofessionals are increasingly recognized as working independently or in concert with healthcare professionals in an effort to achieve health-related goals. This patient work has been the topic of much recent research in an area of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) we call patient-centered HFE. The town hall on patient-centered HFE draws on the community of healthcare HFE researchers and practitioners to communicate and document the scope of existing work, identify future opportunities, and develop recommendations for future work in this area. The town hall primarily consists of an open floor session with a 40-minute comment period and 40-minute generative exercise to discuss and plan with one another future work in patient-centered HFE.

Middle-range theorizing on logistics customer service

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate how a systematic application of middle-range theorizing, which pays particular attention to contexts and mechanisms, can be used to extend current knowledge on logistics customer service (LCS) in a number of critical areas.Design/methodology/approachThe paper applies Stank et al.’s (2017) framework for middle-ranging theorizing in logistics to develop a research framework and agenda that can guide future LCS research. Results are generated through a review of the LCS literature and an application of the main concepts of middle-range theorizing.FindingsThe paper outlines opportunities for middle-range research that would extend LCS knowledge in the areas of human and behavioral factors, time-based competition, supply chain complexity, and digitization and technological innovation.Research limitations/implicationsDescribing the main characteristics of middle-range theorizing and how middle-range theorizing can be fruitfully applied to LCS research should help to stimulate new knowledge creation in this important area of supply chain logistics management.Practical implicationsBy focusing on why and when questions, middle-range theorizing engages with the practical realities of LCS that interest managers and students. Middle-range theorizing moves researchers toward developing a detailed understanding of what actually has to change in order for desired LCS-related outcomes to occur and the contextual factors likely impacting the change process. The paper should, therefore, allow managers to better translate LCS theory into action.Originality/valueMiddle-range theorizing remains new to the supply chain logistics field. The application of middle-range theorizing to LCS research, and logistics research more generally, demands new perspectives on established relationships with the potential to drive original research in areas most relevant to managers.

Creating Appropriate Trust in Automated Vehicle Systems: A Framework for HMI Design

While automated vehicle technology progresses, potentially leading to a safer and more efficient traffic environment, many challenges remain within the area of human factors, such as user trust for automated driving (AD) vehicle systems. The aim of this paper is to investigate how an appropriate level of user trust for AD vehicle systems can be created via human-machine interaction (HMI). A guiding framework for implementing trust-related factors into the HMI interface is presented. This trust-based framework incorporates usage phases, AD events, trust-affecting factors, and levels explaining each event from a trust perspective. Based on the research findings, the authors recommend that HMI designers and automated vehicle manufacturers take a more holistic perspective on trust rather than focusing on single, “isolated” events, for example understanding that trust formation is a dynamic process that starts long before a user's first contact with the system, and continues long thereafter. Furthermore, factors-affecting trust change, both during user interactions with the system and over time; thus, HMI concepts need to be able to adapt. Future work should be dedicated to understanding how trust-related factors interact, as well as validating and testing the trust-based framework.

Missing focus on Human Factors - organizational and cognitive ergonomics - in the safety management for the petroleum industry.

More attention has recently been given to Human Factors in petroleum accident investigations. The Human Factors areas examined in this article are organizational, cognitive and physical ergonomics. A key question to be explored is as follows: To what degree are the petroleum industry and safety authorities in Norway focusing on these Human Factors areas from the design phase? To investigate this, we conducted an innovative exploratory study of the development of four control centres in Norwegian oil and gas industry in collaboration between users, management and Human Factors experts. We also performed a literature survey and discussion with the professional Human Factors network in Norway. We investigated the Human Factors focus, reasons for not considering Human Factors and consequences of missing Human Factors in safety management. The results revealed an immature focus and organization of Human Factors. Expertise on organizational ergonomics and cognitive ergonomics are missing from companies and safety authorities and are poorly prioritized during the development. The easy observable part of Human Factors (i.e. physical ergonomics) is often in focus. Poor focus on Human Factors in the design process creates demanding conditions for human operators and impact safety and resilience. There is lack of non-technical skills such as communication and decision-making. New technical equipment such as Closed Circuit Television is implemented without appropriate use of Human Factors standards. Human Factors expertise should be involved as early as possible in the responsible organizations. Verification and validation of Human Factors should be improved and performed from the start, by certified Human Factors experts in collaboration with the workforce. The authorities should check-back that the regulatory framework of Human Factors is communicated, understood and followed.

How Fitness Trackers Facilitate Health Behavior Change

Fitness trackers have broadened the healthcare ecosystem and made self-tracking everyday physical activities possible. Features like heart rate monitoring can help detect health ailments, yet there is little evidence that suggests tracking health indicators and physical activities leads to long-term health behavior change. This proceeding analyzes areas of Human Factors that could be used to increase long-term user engagement. Feedback, information display, and specific design principles and case studies are discussed.

Unintended Consequences: New Problems, New Solutions. Contributions From 2015.

To select the best of the 2015 published papers on unintended consequences of healthcare information technology (HIT). Literature searches in several areas of scholarship, including IT, human factors, evaluation studies, medical errors, medical informatics, and implementation science. Also, because the specific terms "unintended consequences" were not often included in abstracts and titles, a more nuanced search algorithm was developed. We identified 754 papers that had some empirical research on unintended consequences of HIT. An initial screen of titles and abstracts reduced this to 171 papers of potential interest. We then further filtered out papers that did not meet the following criteria: 1) the paper had to report an original empirical investigation, and 2) the impact reported had to be not negligible, i.e., in quantitative studies, the results related to unintended consequences were statistically significant; and in qualitative studies the relevant themes emerged were prominent. This resulted in 33 papers of which 15 were selected as best paper candidates. Each of these 15 papers was then separately evaluated by four reviewers. The final selection of four papers was made jointly by the external reviewers and the two section editors. There is a growing awareness of the importance of HIT's unintended consequences-be they generated by the HIT vendors, the implementation process, the consultants, the users, or most probably, some combination of the above. There has also been greater creativity in use of data sources, including secondary data (e.g., medical malpractice cases and surveys) and a wider acceptance of mixed methods to identify unintended consequences. Unfortunately, the complexity of causes mitigates the value of recommendations to avoid unwanted outcomes. Suggestions are often contentious rather than obvious, setting-specific, and not universally applicable. "Lessons learned" often take on generalized-and perhaps platitudinous-forms, such as: "plan extra time," "involve all of the stakeholders," "recognize the different needs of different units or disciplines." The greater awareness of these problems, and the increased desire to identify and eliminate them is clearly reflected in the area's growing literature. We are hopeful the topic will receive additional attention and the discipline will improve its ability to identify and address these unexpected and usually adverse outcomes.

G523(P) The paediatric return to work programme

Context We developed a half day programme of fully immersive simulation in a purpose built high fidelity centre to address confidence and training needs of paediatric ST doctors returning to clinical work after a break in practice. Problem Returning to work after a break from clinical practice is daunting. Many trainees have up to a year away from clinical work on maternity leave or out of programme experience (OOP). Trainees undertaking research have up to 3 years away. Feeling under-confident, stressed and de-skilled can result in underperformance which ultimately puts patient safety at risk. Assessment of problem and analysis of its causes Research suggests that the length of time away from clinical practice is a key factor affecting a doctor’s performance when returning to practice – the longer the time out of clinical medicine in years the poorer their performance. 67% of doctors absent from practice for more than 18 months require moderate to considerable re-education or training. The RCPCH has written guidence to support trainees returning to work however simulation as a tool facilitating this process does not feature. We conducted a literature review but were unable to find any stand alone UK simulation programmes specifically aimed at helping paediatricians return to clinical practice safely. Intervention A Paediatric Return To Work Simulation Programme was developed and piloted to address trainees confidence, skills and knowledge. We used scenarios mapped to the RCPCH curriculum covering key areas of emergency management, safeguarding, leadership, communication skills and human factors. Study design The effectiveness of our programme was assessed using pre and post programme questionnaires (Table 1). Two questionnaires were undertaken immediately before and after simulation training and a final questionnaire was undertaken 3 months later following their return to clinical practice. Our primary outcome was aimed at evaluating the trainees confidence levels managing neonatal, paediatric and safeguarding problems and whether these improved following our simulation programme. We were also interested in the overall learning experience perceived by the trainees. Strategy for change All OOP trainees within the deanery were emailed information about the pilot programme. 25 trainees participated in the pilot from September 2013–2014. Measurement of improvement 88% of trainees expressed concern about returning to clinical practice prior to the simulation. Reasons given included lack of knowledge, technical skills, confidence, competence and senior responsibility. Likert scales were used to assess confidence in managing acute paediatric, neonatal, and safeguarding problems pre and post intervention. Results -confidence All trainees found the programme beneficial 100% found the training useful preparation for returning to work. 100% agreed the experience learned from the training had been useful in their clinical work. Free text responses were all overwhelmingly positive. Effects of changes This programme improves confidence and the perceived ability of trainees to manage acute clinical problems. This positive effect appears to be sustained. As a result of this pilot “The Paediatric Return to Work Simulation Programme” has secured funding and been approved regionally for trainees to attend prior to their return to clinical work. Lessons learnt Organisations must have clear support and training in place to enable trainees to return to clinical work safely. Paediatric simulation can effectively facilitate this process. Future development would be aimed at identifying whether these positive effects result in an improvement in clinical practice and safety. Message for others Simulation training programmes facilitating safe return to work should be available nationally and within other specialities.

Representations and operations: parts of the problem and the solution

In his contribution on the usage of NASA TLX, De Winter highlights two major issues in psychology, specifically in the area of human factors and ergonomics (HFE). The first issue deals with the scientific status of commonly used concepts such as workload or situation awareness. The second is the self-concept of our discipline regarding measurement theory and practice. De Winter proposes a solution to the former by taking an extreme position on the latter. We comment on the main theses of his analysis and try to put into perspective some of his conclusions that seem, to us, to be interesting but somewhat premature.