1. Human Factors and Ergonomics Flashcards
Anthropometric data
The aspect of ergonomics that deals with body measurements, particularly those of size, strength and physical capacity.
Static (structural) data
Human body measurements when the subject is still.
Dynamic (functional) data
Human body measurements taken when the subject is in motion related to range and reach of various body movements.
Primary data
Data collected by a user for a specific purpose.
Secondary data
Data collected by someone other than the user.
Percentile range
That proportion of a population with a dimension at or less than a given value.
Clearance
The physical space between two objects.
Reach
A range that a person can stretch to touch or grasp an object from a specified position.
Adjustability
The ability of a product to be changed in size, commonly used to increase the range of percentiles that a product is appropriate for.
Range of sizes
A selection of sizes a product is made in that caters for the majority of a market
Psychological factors
Human factor data related to physical characteristics used to optimise the user’s safety, health, comfort and performance. Human efficiency and safety can be affected by these factors.
Examples of psychological factors (6)
smell, light, sound, taste, texture and temperature
Nominal Scale
Divides objects into discrete groups “by name”. They are very weak, as they do not tell you anything more than that one object is different from another.
Ordinal Scale
A statistical data type that exists on an arbitrary numerical scale where the exact numerical value has no significance other than to rank a set of data points. Quantitative assessment cannot be made, they only indicate sequence or order.
Interval Scale
An interval scale is a more powerful scale, as the intervals or difference between the points or units are of an equal size, for example, on a temperature scale. Measurements using an interval scale can be subjected to numerical or quantitative analysis.
Ratio Scale
A ratio scale allows you to compare differences between numbers. Like an interval scale but with a true zero.
Qualitative Data
Typically descriptive data used to find out in depth the way people think or feel – their perception. Useful for research at the individual or small (focus) group level.
Quantitative Data
Data that can be measured and recorded using numbers
Human information processing system
An automatic system that a person uses to interpret information and react. It is normally comprised of inputs, processes (which can be sensory, central and motor), and outputs.
e.g. input–>sensory processes–>central processes–>motor processes–>output
Effects and Reasons for a breakdown in the human information processing system
age – too young and maybe have not learnt the skills (long term memory), too old maybe forget what to do, or too weak to carry out the task.
strength – too weak to carry out the task
skills – do not have the necessary skills yet, may have forgotten he skills, skills needed are too complex
health – when mental or physical health is comprised which may lead to not carrying out the necessary tasks.
Environmental factors
A set of psychological factors that can affect the performance of an individual that comes from the environment that the individual is situated. Include: sound, temperature, lighting, air quality (pollutants) and smell. Environmental factors can affect different individuals in different ways. Individuals react differently to sensory stimuli. Efficiency and comfort are affected by such factors.
Perception
The way in which something is regarded, understood or interpreted.
Alertness
The level of vigilance, readiness or caution of an individual.
Environmental factors induce different levels of alertness.
Temperature: too warm and you get sleepy and less alert – too cold and you become more alert. Next time you are on a long haul flight note the temperature fluctuations while flying.
Sound: too loud which can be distracting or even cause harm, high pitched or repetitive on/off noises also become distracting.
Lighting: too dim hard to see things need to get close or strains the eyes, natural versus fluorescent (can affect peoples eyes)
Air quality: excess dust or other pollutants could cause people to find it hard to breathe, maybe cough, etc. Certain essential or aroma oils are said to improve alertness
Smell – bad smells will draw ones attention away as would the smell of a hot apple pie.
