IB Design Technology ~ Topic 1 [Human Factors and Physiology]

Ergonomics

Ergonomics

The application of scientific information concerning the relationship between human beings and the design of products, systems and environments.

Human Factors

A scientific discipline concerned with understanding how humans interact with elements of a system. It can also be considered the practice of designing products, systems or processes to take account of the interaction between them and their users. It is also known as comfort design, functional design and user-friendly systems.

Anthropometric Data

The aspect of ergonomics that deals with body measurements, particularly those of size, strength and physical capacity.

Static Data

Human body measurements when the subject is still.

Structural Data

Refers to measurements taken while the subject is in a fixed or standard position, e.g. height, arm length.

Dynamic Data

Human body measurements taken when the subject is in motion related to range and reach of various body movements. E.g. crawling height, overhead reach and the range of upper body movements.

Functional Data

Includes dynamic data measurements while performing a required task e.g. reaching abilities, maneuvering and aspects of space and equipment use.

Primary Data

Data collected by a user for a specific purpose.

Secondary Data

Data collected by someone other than the user.

Percentile

The value below which a certain percentage of a group falls.

Percentile Range

That proportion of a population with a dimension at or less than a given value. For a given demographic (gender, race, age), the 50th percentile is the average.

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 aproduct 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.

Nominal Reach

The type of reach that refers to comfortable extension with minimal stress for repeated access.

Maximal Reach

The type of reach that refers to when objects can be accessed, but may cause strain if needed frequently.

Psychological Factor Data

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

Nominal Scale Data

Means 'by name' and is used in classification or division of objects into discrete groups. Each of which is identified with a name e.g. category of cars, and the scale does not provide any measurement within or between categories.

Ordinal Scale Data

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. Deals with the order or position of items such as words, letters, symbols or numbers arranged in a hierarchical order. Quantitative assessment cannot be made.

Interval Scale Data

Based on numeric scales in which we know the order and the exact difference between the values. Organized into even divisions of equal size. Does not feature an absolute zero.

Ratio Scale Data

Allows you to compare differences between numbers. For example, use a rating scale of 1-10 to evaluate user responses. Features an absolute 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. Examples include height, shoe size, and fingernail length.

Human Processing Information System (HIPS)

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.

Human Error

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

Environmental Factors

A set of psychological factors that can affect the performance of an individual that come from the environment that the individual is situated.

Perception

The way in which something is regarded, understood or interpreted.

Alertness

The level of vigilance, readiness or caution of an individual.

Workplace Environmental Factors

These factors can be considered to maximize performance of a user in a role and reduce the risk of accidents. They can be categorized as: (1) management, (2) physical environment, (3) equipment design, (4) the nature of the job, (5) social or psychological environment, and (6) the worker.

Interview

Method for collecting data that involves asking personal questions to assess beliefs, experiences, needs of individual consumers.

Survey

Method for collecting data that refers to a set of questions sent out to wide range of participants.

Observation

Method for collecting data that refers to watching subjects for specific tasks in either a natural environmental, laboratory, or work environment.

Standardized Test

Method for collecting data that refers to methods of comparing one user’s performance to another.

Physiological Factors

Human factor data related to physical characteristics used to optimize the user's safety, health, comfort and performance.

Comfort

A person's sense of physical or psychological ease.

Fatigue

A person's sense of physical or psychological tiredness.

Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD)

A type of injury that affects the body’s support structures and nerves.

Biomechanics

The research and analysis of the mechanics of living organisms. Includes the research and analysis of the mechanics (operation of our muscles, joints, tendons, etc.) of our human body. It also includes Force (impact on user’s joints), Repetition, Duration and Posture.

Force

The amount of compression, pushing, twisting, pulling, etc. a person can exert. It is directly related to muscle strength.

Repetition

How often a task is repeated. Tasks that are repeated at a high frequency can negatively affect the body.

Position

The position the body is in, whether it is sitting, laying down, or standing.

Duration

How long a task is performed or repeated for.