Topic 1 - Human Factors and Ergonomics

Anthropometric Data

The aspects of ergonomics that deals with body measurements, including, 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 body is in motion, related to range or reach

Primary Data

Collected by the user (designer) for a specific purpose

Secondary Data

Data collected by someone else

Clearance

the space between two objects

Reach

A range that a person can stretch to touch/grasp an object from a specific position

Adjustability

The ability for a product to change in size

used to increase the range of percentiles for which a product is appropriate

Range of Sizes

A variety of sizes a product is made for majority in the market

usually to ensure comfort or safety, such that if something is uncomfortable, it could lead to unsafe situations due to fatigue

Psychological Factor Data

Human Factor Data related psychological interpretations caused by light, smell, sound, taste, temperature, texture

eg. light, smell, sound, taste, temperature, texture affects how we interpret things

Methods of Collecting Psychological Data

1. Nominal - identified by name (weak)

2. Ordinal - numbers ordered in a sequence/rank

3. Interval - we know the exact difference and the order
(arbitrary (fake) zero, we don't know why, but just assume)

4. Ratio - we know the exact difference, and the order
(but there is logical reasoning for 0)

Qualitative Data

Descriptive data used to find the way a person thinks or feels - their perceptions

Usually collected from an individual or a small group

Nominal / Ordinal - taste, smell, temperature, texture

Quantitative Data

Data that can be measured and recorded using numbers

Interval/Ratio - sound, temperature, light

Human Information Processing Systems

ISCMO

Input: measuring/detecting something

Sensory: transmit information to the brain

Central: processes information and sends an instruction

Motor: convert instructions into actions

Output: executes action

Reasons for Breakdowns in the Human Information Processing System

Reasons for Breakdowns in the Human Information Processing Systems

1. Age

too young, have not learnt a skill

too old, forgot the skill

2. Strength

too weak to perform the task

3. Skills

Do not have the skills

forgot the skills

too complex to learn

4. Health

mental/physical health restricts performing the tasks

Environmental Factors

A set of psychological factors that affect the performance of an individual, based on the environment an individual is situated.

1. Sound

distracting/irritating

2. Smell

distracting

3. Air Quality

difficult to breath

4. Temperature

Hot = Sleepy

Cold = Awake

5. Lighting

too bright/dark = strain eyes/headache

Perceptions

How something is understood/regarded

When measuring environmental factors, the perception may vary from person to person

Types of Physiological Factors Data

1. Muscle Strength in different positions

2. Endurance in different positions

aka. how long can someone withstand a position before discomfort kicks in

3. Visual Acuity

aka. how well someone can see something in diff conditions

4. Tolerance to hot or cold temperatures

etc

Comfort

Free from physical pain

varies from person to person

considerations:

1. adjustability

2. pleasure

Fatigue

When a person is under physical/mental stress over an extended period of time, fatigue kicks in (tiredness or weakness)

Reasons for fatigue:

1. lifting heavy

2. pushing/pulling heavy loads

3. awkward positions

4. repetitive tasks

Biomechanics

The study of mechanical movements

Designers should consider:

1. Force

The amount of compression/pushing/twisting/pulling force to perform an action

2. Repetition

how frequently a task is performed

3. Posture

The position the body is in

4. Duration

how long the task is performed

percentile range

That section of a population with a dimension at or less than a given value.