Suchergebnisse

Behavioral Research and Government Policy: Civilian and Military R&D explains the influence that the government have on research and development in the field of behavioral science. The book explores the different aspects in conducting a research with the main focus on the sponsor of the study. The book is the second part of a journal series titled International Reviews in Aerosol Physics and Chemistry. The text offers significant understanding of the methods employed to develop a theory for thermophoretic and diffusiophoretic forces acting on spheres in the range from free molecules to continu

Four studies describing the development and application of a simple multiplicative probability model for human error prediction are reviewed and evaluated. The methodology is an elementaristic one that requires analysis of system operations to the task-element level. Estimates of human performance reliability are applied through the use of the Data Store, which is based on extrapolation of results from 164 experimental studies. The various possibilities of operator action are explored in detail through a "probability" tree; each branch of the tree represents an alternative contingency. Performance reliabilities for task elements are progressively combined through the use of the series product rule to yield reliability estimates for tasks, mission phases, and the overall system. The methodology has been applied in two contexts: the generation of reliability estimates through a computerized Monte Carlo program and by using experts' rating of operator performance.

The requirements for and special problems involved in human factors field testing are described. With one exception field testing is simply an extension of laboratory testing to the operational-use environment. The exception is the inability to control and test individual variables. The purpose of field testing is to verify that the system performs according to specification. This can be accomplished by comparing field performance with the system description or "template".

Ten packaging designers were tested on three specially developed tests which required them to analyze various design situations and to construct a conceptual drawing of the equipment configuration according to design specifications. Five human factors specialists were also tested on several sub-test items. Designers appear to have little or no interest in human factors criteria or information and usually fail to consider human factors in their designs. Their analysis of design requirements is minimal and shallow. Human factors personnel reacted in a manner similar to designers in terms of overall design criteria.