Making ‘Human Factors’ Truly Human: Cultural Considerations in Human Factors Research and Practice

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 941-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Lippa ◽  
Helen Altman Klein
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Cultural Difference ◽  
Cultural Variation ◽  
Symbolic Communication ◽  
Cultural Considerations ◽  
The Past ◽  
Complex Processes ◽  
National Differences ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Human Factors Research

Traditionally, human factors research has been conducted in Western nations to answer the questions of Western practitioners. This approach was appropriate in the past and still works well in many situations. However, as the world of work is becoming more international it is important to consider how national differences affect human factors applications. We review recent issues of the Human Factors journal to see how cultural differences are being addressed in research. Five domains where important cultural difference may influence research findings are reviewed. These areas are physical design, visual displays, symbolic communication, information technology and managing complex processes. We present recommendations for incorporating greater cultural variation into Ergonomic and Human Factors work.

General Aviation Weather Hazards:Current Human Factors Research, Pilot Practices, and Tools

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-126
Author(s):  
Beth Blickensderfer ◽  
Lori J Brown ◽  
Alyssa Greenman ◽  
Jayde King ◽  
Brandon Pitts
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Panel Discussion ◽  
General Aviation ◽  
Transportation Safety ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Flight Operations ◽  
Human Factors Research

When General Aviation (GA) pilots encounter unexpected weather hazards in-flight, the results are typically deadly. It is unsurprising that the National Transportation Safety Board repeatedly lists weather related factors in GA flight operations as an unsolved aviation safety challenge. Solving this problem requires multidisciplinary perspectives. Fortunately, in the past several years innovative laboratory research and industry products have become available. This panel discussion brings together Human Factors and Ergonomics researchers and practitioners to discuss and describe the current work and future directions to avoid weather related accidents in GA.

Human Factors Research Recommendations for the Development of Design Guidelines for Advanced Traveler Information Systems

1993 ◽  
Vol 37 (16) ◽  
pp. 1067-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Dingus ◽  
Melissa C. Hulse
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Advanced Traveler Information Systems ◽  
Traveler Information ◽  
Traveler Information Systems ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Human Factors Research

This paper describes the outcome of a comprehensive literature review specifically conducted to assess research relevant to the design of advanced traveler information systems (ATIS) for automotive and commercial vehicle use. The goal of the literature review was to identify existing human factors guidelines applicable to the design of ATIS and gaps in the research precluding the development of comprehensive human factors guidelines for ATIS applications. A summary of ATIS research findings and research gaps is presented. Through presentation of both research findings and research gaps, it is hoped that interest will be sparked and focus will be provided for researchers in this growing application of human factors. Given the criticality of ATIS applications (both in terms of driver safety and public acceptance) and the visibility that will be provided to the human factors community from participation in ATIS design, human factors research leading to comprehensive and usable guidelines is extremely important.

Review of Human Factors Applications in Forest Harvesting

1982 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-275
Author(s):  
Leo A. Smith ◽  
Donald L. Sirois
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Environmental Stress ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Equipment Design ◽  
Work Physiology ◽  
The Past ◽  
Harvesting Systems ◽  
Human Factors Research

A review of human factors applications in forest harvesting operations is presented. The discussion covers work physiology, environmental stress, equipment design, and safety. The importance of each topic to forest harvesting and representative human factors studies are described. Several suggestions for research that appears needed are also mentioned. It is concluded that human factors research has significantly contributed to the improvement of forest harvesting systems in the past and that future human factors applications should result in similar benefits.

Sex: The Missing Variable in Human Factors Research

1978 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald A. Hudgens ◽  
Patricia A. Billingsley
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Work Force ◽  
The Past ◽  
Human Factors And Ergonomics ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Male Subjects ◽  
Human Factors Research

During the past 35 years, an ever-increasing number of women has been entering the work force and assuming numerous jobs that were traditionally reserved for men. To see if human factors research has been keeping up with the problems and questions this trend inevitably poses, the content of two leading human factors journals (Human Factors and Ergonomics) was analyzed for the time period 1965 through 1976. Nearly half the 859 studies examined included only male subjects; only a quarter included females, either exclusively (6%), or with males (19%); and nearly a third gave no indication of the subjects' sex. Even in studies that included both males and females, only a third did analyses to determine whether there were sex differences. The desirability of considering the sex variable in human factors studies and several of the problems associated with doing so are discussed, and recommendations are offered.

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