Ergonomics Professionals Research Articles

Theoretical and Experimental Approaches in Ergonomic Design: Towards a Unified Theory of Ergonomic Design

Design is one of the most important issues in ergonomic science and its application. Ergonomics professionals use the term ‘design’ in many different ways. In this paper design is defined as the creation and description of ideal models or images of a new object for the purpose of their materialization in the future. As such the main part of the design process has to be done on the informational level. This paper analyzes the relationship between the theoretical and experimental approaches to ergonomics design, and demonstrates a need for development of a unified theory of ergonomic design.

The technology of ergonomics

Attempts by the US Air Force, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics in the US, the Harmonization of European Training Programs for the Ergonomics Profession project group in Europe, and the International Ergonomics Association to determine the scope of ergonomics and its technology are reviewed. Based on these data, and the author's own observations of ergonomics internationally, the technology of ergonomics is defined as human-system interface technology (HSIT). HSIT is proposed to have five identifiable components. Each of these components is described, including a brief history of its development. Because it has developed a unique technology, the author concludes that ergonomics has evolved into a unique, stand-alone discipline that can be defined most directly by its technology. Further, that educating the general public about HSIT will increase public understanding of the nature and scope of ergonomics and its potential for enhancing organizational performance and the quality of human life.

Placement Opportunities for Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Professionals in Industry, Government/Military and Consulting Positions

During the period from November 1997 through September 1998, the Placement Service of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society distributed announcements describing 249 new positions available for human factors engineers and ergonomics professionals. This paper describes placement opportunities for HFE and ergonomics professionals in industry, government /military and consulting positions (N=205). The attributes of the position descriptions examined include: degree requirements, industrial sector, areas of expertise, required work experience, salary, geographic location, job description and skills required. Sixty percent of the positions describe the masters degree as the minimum requirement. The area of expertise most frequently requested (67.8%) was HCI, with test and evaluation (specifically usability testing) being specified for 48.3% of the positions. Consulting, computer software, computer hardware and aviation/aerospace were the four leading industries offering positions. The geographical areas with the most jobs were the California and the Northeast. The most frequently cited (27%) primary area of responsibility was software design.

人間工学専門家資格認定制度の骨子 資格の要件，専門知識，カリキュラムなどを中心に

人間工学専門家資格認定制度の骨子 資格の要件，専門知識，カリキュラムなどを中心に

人間工学専門家資格認定委員会設立の経緯とその活動

人間工学専門家資格認定委員会設立の経緯とその活動

Outline of the Professional Ergonomists Certification System

Outline of the Professional Ergonomists Certification System

Needs of professional ergonomists in Japanese society

Needs of professional ergonomists in Japanese society

人間工学専門家資格認定委員会設立の経緯とその活動

人間工学専門家資格認定委員会設立の経緯とその活動

人間工学専門家資格制度に関する前提条件

人間工学専門家資格制度に関する前提条件

人間工学専門家の社会的ニーズ 人間工学専門技術の人材育成委員会報告書を中心に

人間工学専門家の社会的ニーズ 人間工学専門技術の人材育成委員会報告書を中心に

Registered professional ergonomists

Registered professional ergonomists

Placement Opportunities for Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Professionals in Industry, Government/Military and Consulting Positions

Placement Opportunities for Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Professionals in Industry, Government/Military and Consulting Positions

Is utility in the mind of the beholder? A study of ergonomics methods

This paper reviews the use of ergonomics methods in the context of usability of consumer products. A review of the literature indicated that there is upward of 60 methods available to the ergonomist. The results of the survey indicated that questionnaires, interviews and observation are the most frequently reported methods used. Ease of use of the methods was dependent upon type of method used, presence of software support and type of training received. Strong links were found between questionnaires and interviews as a combined approach, as well as with HTA and observation. However, a questionnaire survey of professional ergonomists found that none of the respondents had any documented evidence of the reliability and validity of the methods they were using. A study of training people to use ergonomics' methods indicated the different requirements of the approaches, in terms of training time, application time and subjective preferences. An important goal for future research is to establish the reliability and validity of ergonomics methods.

Placement Opportunities for Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Professionals

During the period from November 1995 through October 1996, the Placement Service of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society distributed announcements describing 195 positions available for human factors engineers and ergonomics professionals. This paper describes placement opportunities for HFE and ergonomics professionals in industry, government/military and consulting positions (N=162), while an overview of all advertised positions, and a description of academic (N=8) and internship positions (N=25) is provided in Part I (Moroney, Proulx & Parker, 1997). The attributes of the position descriptions examined include: degree requirements, major field of study, industrial sector, areas of expertise, required work experience, salary, geographic location, job description and skills required. Fifty-seven percent of the positions describe the masters degree as the minimum requirement, with 18% of the opportunities in the consulting sector. The area of expertise most frequently requested (69%) was HCI, with test and evaluation (specifically usability testing) being specified for 44% of the positions. The most frequently cited (35%) primary area of responsibility was interface design.

Placement Opportunities for Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Professionals

During the period from November 1995 through October 1996, the Placement Service of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society distributed announcements describing 195 positions available for human factors engineers and ergonomics professionals. These announcements were divided into two groups according to employment sector and position type. This paper provides an overview of employment opportunities available in all sectors, and an examination of announced academic and internship positions. Its sequel describes positions available in industry, government and consulting positions (N=162). The attributes of the position announcements examined include: degree requirements, major field of study, areas of expertise, required work experience, salary, geographic location, job description and skills required. Ninety-six percent of the positions were available in industry, consulting, and government/military. Fifty-one percent of the positions describe the masters degree as the minimum requirement. Eight academic and twenty-five internship positions were announced. The major fields of study most frequently specified for these positions were human factors, psychology and engineering. The most frequently cited area of expertise for academics was Human Computer Interaction (HCI), followed by aerospace, aging, and transportation. Among internships, knowledge of human-computer interaction was most frequently cited. Professional skills and expectations of interns are also discussed.

Status of Human Factors and Ergonomics Education: Are Universities Providing the Skills Required for Consumer Product Design?

This debate explored the state-of-the-art in human factors education and the skills that are desired as professionals enter industry to design consumer products. This debate addressed the specific needs of consumer product design, where a consumer product was defined as a product that is purchased by the end user and used by this person. Inherent in this definition is the fact that both the purchase and use of this product are left to the discretion of the user. Therefore, this product must not only facilitate the efficient completion of a task but also satisfy a basic user need. This debate attempted to arrive at a consensus on potential improvements to the training of individuals within the university environment, and to identify potential industry contributions to improve the quality of education of human factors and ergonomics professionals in consumer product design. This consensus was obtained by bringing together industry representatives from Fortune 500 companies and design firms with professors from prominent universities. University representatives provided a short overview of their human factors curriculum, the skills that this curriculum provides their students and views on how additional industry involvement could improve the quality of education. Industry representatives provided an overview of their organizations and the skills that are expected of new employees as they enter the work force. The debate occurred as differences were identified between the views expressed during these presentations. Among the topics debated were: 1) the importance of student internships versus additional course work, 2) the importance of general human factors principles versus extensive course work within specialized areas, 3) the need for education of theoretical knowledge versus applied training where students learn to make tradeoffs when the ideal cannot be achieved, 4) training involving communication within multidisciplinary teams versus relatively homogeneous human factors programs, 5) a focus on methods for determining consumer needs versus historical methods for determining needs of trained operators of large systems, and 6) training the human factors graduate as an evaluator of consumer products versus a creator/generator of new product concepts.

Placement Opportunities for Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Professionals: Part I: Industry, Government/Military and Consulting Positions

During the period from November 1994 through October 1995, the Placement Service of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society distributed announcements describing 159 positions available for human factors engineers and ergonomics professionals. These announcements were divided into two groups according to employment sector and position type. This paper describes industry, government and consulting positions (N=129), while its sequel describes academic and internship positions (N=30). The features of the position descriptions examined include: degree requirements, major field of study, areas of expertise, required work experience, salary, geographic location, job description and skills required. The masters degree was specified as the minimum requirement for most positions. The most frequently specified fields of study were human factors, psychology and engineering. The most frequently cited area of expertise was human computer interaction, while the most frequently cited primary responsibility was interface design.

Placement Opportunities for Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Professionals: Part II: Academic and Internship Positions

This paper describes placement opportunities for HFE and ergonomics professionals in academic and internship positions, which were contained in the position announcements distributed by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Placement Service during 1994–1995. Ten academic and twenty internship positions were announced. The features of the position announcement examined include: degree requirements, major field of study, areas of expertise, required work experience, salary, geographic location, job description and skills required. Academic positions were most frequently available in industrial engineering, and human factors ergonomics. Expertise in the area of industrial ergonomics and consumer products was most frequently desired. The most frequently cited courses to be taught were human factors/ergonomics and statistics. Among internships, knowledge of human-computer interaction was most frequently cited. Professional skills and expectations of interns are also discussed.

Report on a certification program for professional ergonomists

Report on a certification program for professional ergonomists

Tools for Human Performance Enhancement in Aviation Maintenance

Human Factors and ergonomics professionals are often asked to “show” how their research has affected on-the-job human performance. They are asked to show measurable changes in human effectiveness and efficiency at work. There is always the demand for HF&E researchers to create procedures and tools that can guide non-human factors personnel to make the “right” human-centered decisions. This symposium will show and distribute such tools that have been designed and tested in an aviation maintenance environment. For over six years now, the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Aviation Medicine has conducted an extensive research program centered on human factors in aviation maintenance and inspection. The research program has earned a reputation of demonstrating a “hands-on” understanding of aviation maintenance and maintaining a close working relationship with all segments of the industry. The symposium will begin with an overview of FAA-sponsored research results applied to aviation maintenance and safety over the past six years. In the second paper the Human Factors Guide for Aviation Maintenance, completed in 1995, will be described. The third presentation will demonstrate a CD-ROM version of the Guide. The presentation shall also discuss human-computer interface issues pertinent to developing interactive multi-media information systems. The final presentation will show a multi-media software package to conduct ergonomics audits in a variety of industrial environments. The system has evolved from three years of ergonomics audit research in aviation maintenance workplaces. Each of the session presentations will demonstrate and distribute HF&E tools to session attendees.