Ergonomics
International Ergonomics Association:
http://iea.cc/01_what/What%20is%20Ergonomics.html
The Discipline of Ergonomics
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions
among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and
methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
Derived from the Greek ergon (work) and nomos (laws) to denote the science of work,
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ergonomics is a systems-oriented discipline
ergonomics promotes a holistic approach in which considerations of physical, cognitive, social,
organizational, environmental and other relevant factors are taken into account
Domains of specialization:
Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and
biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. (Relevant topics include working postures,
materials handling, repetitive movements, work related musculoskeletal disorders, workplace layout,
safety and health.)
Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and
motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. (Relevant
topics include mental workload, decision-making, skilled performance, human-computer interaction,
human reliability, work stress and training as these may relate to human-system design.)
Organizational ergonomics is concerned with the optimization of sociotechnical systems, including their
organizational structures, policies, and processes.
Cornell University ergonomics (lots of materials)
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/
Guidelines to improve your workstation:
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ErgoTips2002/home.html
Usability assessment of cell phones
Provides useful feedback during use
Works as expected
Is straightforward to use
User customization possible
Does not require instructions
Rating 1-5 strongly agree – strongly disagree
Computer hassles
By RA Hudiburg
Listed below are a number of ways in which a person can feel hassled by computers and computer
technology. Respond to each hassle by circling a 0, 1, 2, or 3 to indicate how SEVERE the hassle has been
for you during the past TWO MONTHS.
SEVERITY
0 - not at all ; 1 - somewhat severe; 2 - moderately severe ; 3 - extremely severe
HASSLES
1. computer system is down
2. lost in the computer
3. poorly documented software
4. computer hardware failure
5. computer keyboard lockup
6. programming error
7. illegal input message
8. updated software requirements
9. poor user/computer interface
10. slow program speed
11. slow computer speed
12. poorly written computer documentation
13. incompatible software program
14. incomprehensible computer instructions
15. outdated computer skills
16. increased time demands
17. electrical surges - data are lost
18. lost data
19. lost program
20. crashed program
21. crashed system/ lockup
22. damaged storage media - disks, tapes
23. need to update skills
24. keyboard typing errors
25. need to learn new software
26. forgot to save work
27. keyboard paralysis
28. uninformative computer conversations
29. violent language of computers
30. too much computer information
31. too little computer information
32. software confusion
33. lack of help with a computer problem
34. lack of computer expertise
35. increased computer use expectations
36. lack of computer application software
37. obsolete computers
General principles for control – display integration
Principle
Description
Importance
Most important items must be in the most advantageous positions
Frequency of use
Most frequently used items must be in the most advantageous positions
Function
Use grouping principles to group items by function
Location comp ability
Locate control near their corresponding displays
Conceptual compability
Layout and use of controls should be consistent with user/ popular stereotype
Sequence
in real tasks
Use link analysis to optimize layout in relation to the sequence of movements
Effort balance
Share workload between dominant and nondominant hands
Britons abroad are the worst divers in Europe
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research by University of Granada
UK road accident rate is the lowest in Europe
British drivers are more likely to cause an accident when driving on Spanish roads than any other
nationality
Grouping of items in interface design
Kotval, X. P., and Goldberg, J. H. (1998), Eye Movements and Interface Components
Grouping: An Evaluation Method
the same icons where grouped in four different ways:
1. functional grouping (editing, drawing, text properties)
2. majority grouping
3. random grouping
4. no grouping condition
(1) was most efficient, (4) second; “wrong” grouping turned out to be confusing
General principles of software ergonomics
Appropriate software
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
is suitable to the task
is easy to use and adaptable
provides feedback on system performance
works at the user’s own pace
does not “spy” on the user.
In detail:
1. is suitable to the task
a. it presents users with no unnecessary obstacles or problems
b. is not necessarily complex or elaborate
c. supports the user in the effective and efficient completions of the task
d. present the user only with the information related to the completion of the task while the
task is being carried out
2. is easy to use and adaptable
a. is easy to master
b. input and output formats are appropriate to the task requirements and user goals
c. action that can be allocated to the interface software are carried out automatically without
user involvement (e.g. default values)
d. uses dialogue appropriate to the user’s ability
e. has an interface adaptable to different skill levels
f. minimizes consequences of error: lost data are recoverable & “undo button”
3. provides feedback on system performance
a. timely error messages
b. appropriate level of information
c. task dependent help on request
4. works at the user’s own pace
a. user “drives” the system
b. system displays all keystrokes when they are made
c. system response time and response time variability is minimized
d. during performance of a task in which data are changed, the original data remain accessible
until no longer required by the taks
5. does not “spy” on the user.
a. no covert monitoring of user performance
b. users are informed of any recording of their input
c. emphasis on quality rather than quantity