ISE 3700 CH 1-2

What are the two inspiring goals of Cognitive Systems Engineering (CSE)?

To have the knowledge to (more often than not) ask the right questions, and to have the techniques to (more often than not) solve the right problem

Microcognition

Cognitive work that happens "within a single brain" or intra-agent cognitive processes resulting in interaction with the world and tools (individual performance, usability, UI/UX)

What is Macrocognition?

Cognitive work that happens "outside the brain" or "between two or more brains," involving inter-agent interactions, network performance, and system-centered design

What are the five Macrocognition functions?

Detecting (problems), Sensemaking, (Re-)Planning, Deciding, and Coordinating

Dectecting problems

Using one of the five senses (e.g., sight, hearing) to detect stimuli and ascertain whether there is currently a problem or not

Q: Define "Sensemaking" in macrocognition.

A: Determining why an event (e.g., a problem) is occurring ("making sense of something")

Replanning

Determining that the current plan of action is no longer appropriate and creating a new plan

Deciding

Using available data to commit (at least temporarily) to one out of all possible alternatives

Q: Define "Coordinating" in macrocognition.

A: Multiple agents aligning knowledge, mindset, and goals to complete a task

Fundamental Principles of Interaction

Usefulness, Usability, and Desirability

What are the two primary characteristics of good design?

Discoverability and Understanding

Affordance

The relationship between the properties of an object and the capabilities of the agent that determine how the object could possibly be used

Signifier

Any perceivable indicator that communicates appropriate behavior to a person

Mapping

The relationships between the elements of two sets of things

Feedback

Communicating the results of an action to the user

Q: What does the Design Model represent in the conceptual model framework?

A: The conceptual model as conceived by the designer

What does the User's Model represent in the conceptual model framework?

How the user actually understands the system, shaped by the system image

What is the fundamental difference between Affordances and Signifiers?

Affordances determine what actions are possible, while signifiers signal how those actions should be done

Q: What is the "Sharp End" in complex systems?

A: Practitioners who are in direct contact with the safety-critical process or the process being examined

Q: What is the "Blunt End" in complex systems?

A: Practitioners, managers, regulators, and developers who are removed in time and space from activities at the sharp end but shape those activities

What is Alarm Fatigue?

Desensitization to constant alarms (where 80-99% of alarms may be false or non-actionable), leading to missed warnings or delayed responses

What are the core phases of the User-Centered Design (UCD) process?

Research, Analysis, Design, and Evaluation

Wireframe

A low-fidelity representation of an interface focused on functionality and behavior without styling or graphics

Q: What is the main role of Ethnography in design research?

A: Studying modern human cultures through direct observation and master-apprentice style interviews because people are poor at telling you what they actually do or need

What is the difference between "Emic" and "Etic" perspectives?

Emic is the insider's point of view (native culture/thoughts), while Etic is the outsider/anthropologist's point of view (what the author thinks is important/judgments)

What is Contextual Inquiry?

A user-centered research method that combines direct observations, retroactive think-aloud protocols, and interviews conducted "in situ" (where the work happens)

What is the difference between a Goal and a Task?

A goal is the end result you want to achieve, while a task describes how you achieve that goal

What are the three types of knowledge mapped in design frameworks?

Formal knowledge (programmed instruction), Informal knowledge (textual descriptions), and Implicit/Tacit knowledge (a person's skills in accomplishing a task)