topic 1 - human factors

Question 1

what are anthropometrics?

Answer 1

the ergonomics that deals with body measurements. Particularly those of size, strength, and physical capacity.

Question 2

what is clearance?

Answer 2

the physical space between two objects

Question 3

what is reach?

Answer 3

a range that a person can stretch to touch/grasp an object from a specified position.

Question 4

what is adjustability?

Answer 4

ability of a product to be changed in size, commonly used to increase the range of percentiles that a product is appropriate for.

Question 5

which percentile is measured for adjustability?

Answer 5

5th-95th

Question 6

which percentile is measured for clearance?

Answer 6

95th

Question 7

which percentile is measured for reach?

Answer 7

5th or 50th

Question 8

what is nominal data?

Answer 8

used for placing data in categories. it has no order and no distance between each group. e.g. year 12 form groups

Question 9

what is ordinal data?

Answer 9

classifies data in a specific order or rank. e.g. food in preferred order

Question 10

what is interval data?

Answer 10

expressed in intervals of some kind. fixed measurement between each interval. e.g. temperature

Question 11

what is ratio?

Answer 11

relative values of interval data. no negative values. e.g. linear dimensions.

Question 12

factors that affect the alertness of the human system:

Answer 12

temperature
sound
lighting
air quality

Question 13

reasons why the human information processing system break down?

Answer 13

• age
• strength
• skills
• health
• issue with nerve processes
• problem with senses

Question 14

what do physiological factors affect?

Answer 14

heart, brain, lungs, sight, hearing, and respiration

Question 15

what can products do?

Answer 15

optimise the user’s comfort, safety, health, and performance.

Question 16

what are biomechanics?

Answer 16

biomechanics is the study of mechanical laws relating to movement of living organisms. it provides us with dynamic data.

Question 17

what is physical ergonomics?

Answer 17

the aspect that deals with body measurements. often deals with posture, repetitive stress and movement etc.

Question 18

what is cognitive ergonomics?

Answer 18

concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response.

Question 19

what is organisational ergonomics?

Answer 19

includes communication, work design, shirt (work hours) management, teamwork, and quality management.

Question 20

what is the human information processing system?

Answer 20

input - sensory processes - central processes - motor processes - output

sensory and central are psychological
motor and output are physiological

Question 21

what is a human error?

Answer 21

slips and mistakes made by humans. mistakes result from conscious deliberations.

Question 22

what is fatigue?

Answer 22

fatigue is the temporary diminishment of performance. it can be physical or mental. it can also inform design decisions and affect users.

Question 23

what is comfort?

Answer 23

comfort: is a qualitative consideration and differs between people.
comfort: is a physiological factor that can inform design decisions and affect users.