Topic 1 - Human factors and ergonomics

Question 1

Adjustability

Answer 1

Ability of a product to be changed in size - used to increase range of percentiles a product appropriate for

Question 2

Alertness

Answer 2

Level of vigilance, readiness or caution of an individual

Question 3

Anthropometrics

Answer 3

Aspect of ergonomics dealing with body measurements, particularly size, strength and physical capability

Question 4

Biomechanics

Answer 4

Research and analysis of mechanics of living organisms. Incl research and analysis of mechanics of human body. Also incl force on users joints, repetition, duration and posture

Question 5

Clearance

Answer 5

Physical space between two objects

Question 6

Cognitive ergonomics

Answer 6

How mental processes affect interactions between users and components of a system

Question 7

Comfort

Answer 7

Sense of physical or psychological ease

Question 8

Dynamic data

Answer 8

Human body measurements taken when in motion related to range and reach (crawling height, overhead reach, range of upper body measurements)

Question 9

Environmental factors

Answer 9

Set of psychological factors that can affect performance of an individual that come from environment that individual is situated

Question 10

Ergonomics

Answer 10

Application of scientific information concerning relationship between human and design of products, systems and environments

Question 11

Fatigue

Answer 11

Sense of physical or psychological tiredness

Question 12

Functional data

Answer 12

Includes dynamic data measurements while performing required task (reaching abilities, maneuvering, aspects of space and equipment use

Question 13

Human error

Answer 13

Mistakes made by users, some can result in catastrophic consequences for people, property and environment as they are considered key contributors to major accidents

Question 14

Human factors

Answer 14

A scientific discipline concerned with understanding how humans interact with elements of a system (aka comfort design, functional design, user-friendly systems)

Question 15

Human information processing systems

Answer 15

Automatic system a person uses to interpret information and react. Normally comprised of inputs, processes and outputs

Question 16

Interval data

Answer 16

Based on numeric scales in which we know the order and exact difference between the values. Organized into even divisions or intervals, and intervals are of equal size.

Question 17

Nominal data scale

Answer 17

Used in classification or division of objects into discrete groups, each of which identified with name (category of cars)

Question 18

Ordinal data

Answer 18

A statistical data type that exists on an arbitrary numerical scale where exact numerical value has no significance other than to rank a set of data points. Deals with order or position of items such as words, letters, symbols, or numbers arranged in a hierarchal order

Question 19

Percentile range

Answer 19

That proportion of a population within a dimension at or less than a given value.

Question 20

Perception

Answer 20

Way in which something is regarded, understood or interpreted

Question 21

Physiological factor data

Answer 21

Human factor data related to physical characteristics used to optimize users safety, health, comfort and performance

Question 22

Primary data

Answer 22

Data collected by a user for a specific purpose

Question 23

Psychological factor data

Answer 23

Human factor data related to psychological interpretations caused by light, smell, sound, taste, temperature and texture

Question 24

Qualitative data

Answer 24

Typically descriptive data used to find out in-depth the way people think or feel - their perception (useful for research at individual or small focus group level)

Question 25

Quantitative data

Answer 25

Data that can be measured and recorded using numbers (eg height, shoe size)

Question 26

Range of sizes

Answer 26

Selection of sizes a product is made in that caters for majority of market

Question 27

Ratio data scale

Answer 27

Allows you to compare differences between numbers (rating scale 1-10)

Question 28

Reach

Answer 28

Range a person can stretch to touch or grasp an object from a specified position

Question 29

Secondary data

Answer 29

Data collected by someone other than user

Question 30

Static data

Answer 30

Human body measurements when user still

Question 31

Structural data

Answer 31

Refers to measurements taken while subject in a fixed or standard position (height, arm length)

Question 32

Workplace environmental factors

Answer 32

Factors can be considered to maximize performance of a user in a role and reduce risk of accidents