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An evaluation of alphanumeric, graphic, and colour information displays
14.1.25 (82786) Tullis, T.S. An evaluation of alphanumeric, graphic, and colour information displays. Human Factors, 1981, 2 3 . 5 , 5 4 1 - 5 5 0 . Four different types of CRT display formats were evaluated in the context of a computer-based telephone line testing system. The formats considered were narrative, which used complete words and phrases; structured, which used a tabular format; black-and-white graphics, which used a schematic of the telephone line;and colour graphics, which also used a schematic but added colour coding. The evaluation measured speed and accuracy of the subjects' interpretation of the displays of test results. Accuracy did not significantly vary with format but speed did. Response times for both graphic formats were consistently shorter than those for the narrative format. With additional practice, however, response times for the structured format were just as short. There was no significant difference between response times for the black-and-white graphic and colour graphic formats. 14.1.26 (83010)
Shurtleff, D.A., and Wuersch, W.F. How to make large screen displays legible. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 25th Annual Meeting, Rochester, New York, 1 2 - 1 6 October, 1981, Edited by Robert C. Sugarman, 1981, pp 1 4 9 - 1 5 3 . Four major display variables, luminance adaptation level, symbol contrast ratio, symbol visual size and off-axis viewing angle, were related, in a rotable central composite design, to an observer's ability to identify symbols shown on a large screen display (LSD). The results show the nature and significance of all main effects as well as delineate the important interactions among these variables. The results can be used as an LSD design and evaluation tool permitting tradeoffs to be made among the important features of display equipment, projection screens and viewing facilities.
Workplace layout and equipment design 14.1.27 (82801)
Kreifeldt, J.G. Hand calculator performance under interrupted operation. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 25th Annual Meeting, Rochester, New York, 1 2 - 1 6 October 1981, Edited by Robert C. Sugarman, 1981, pp 3 2 9 332.
74
Applied Ergonomics
Hand calculators use either Reverse Polish Notation or Algebraic Notation and users of each ordinarily declare that their own type is superior. Of three published experiments, two have indicated RPN is superior to AN while one has shown no difference. The present experiment compared the two logic systems under uninterrupted conditions and when the subjects were interrupted during the task simulating real world conditions. During noninterrupted operation, no significant performance differences were found between RPN and AN. When users were interrupted, both type of logic users took longer to complete the task although AN users took much longer than RPN users. Examination of these and previous results suggest that, while RPN seems to be superior to AN, a further conclusion is that RPN and AN users may possess inherently different problem formulation logics which each match their selected calculator logics. 14.1.28 (82816)
Junge, M.K., and Giacomi, M.J. Human factors in equipment development for the Space Shuttle: A study of the general purpose work station. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 25th Annual Meeting, Rochester, New York, 1 2 - 1 6 October 1981, Edited by Robert C. Sugarman, 1981, pp 2 1 8 - 2 2 2 .
the data collected, it was concluded that various hardware features needed to be changed or modified. Immediate problems such as the electronic touch panel configuration were solved. The long term problems of zero-g work surface height and muscle fatigue need to be studied further. Ii1 order to answer some of the problems of muscle fatigue, the procedures to operate the GPWS can include appropriate rest and stretch time periods for the operators. In addition, plans are under way to study posture and muscle fatigue at work stations in underwater simulation of zero-g.
14.1.29 (82820)
Steidl, R.E. User effort related to apartment design. Home Economics Research Journal, 1981, 9 . 4 , 2 9 7 - 3 0 9 . To study the quality of the interior physical environment of apartment dwellings for the users and their activities, 115 residents in two-bedroom apartments were interviewed using a structured schedule. To obtain an evaluation of the human costs of using the environment, respondents rated their effort for tasks in each room. The users' evaluations of specific design features helped interpret ratings. Of 5059 ratings of effort relative to effect of room design on 22 tasks, 50% were decreased effort, 23% little effect on effort, 27% increased effort. Ratings of increased effort averaged I 1-87 per respondent. Implicated especially were kitchen, entry, and bathroom designs. Negative evaluations of storage, space, floor and wall materials, and sound insulation were associated (X ~) with increased effort. As satisfaction with apartment decreased, the average number of ratings of increased effort increased. User characteristics, including presence of a child, wife's employment, and the habit of saving/collecting things, were also examined. This research provides descriptive information about effects of some design decisions on user effort.
NASA - Ames Research Center has recently developed a specialised Class II Biohazard contained working space for Life Sciences experiments. This work bench, the General Purpose Work Station (GPWS), has been designed for use in the first dedicated Life Sciences Spacelab payload of the Space Shuttle. The experimenter's position and access to the work station directly impact the performance of the procedures. A series of science functional tests were developed by NASA-ARC to determine the capabilities of the GPWS and to reveal the critical points of operator interface. Four procedures were performed three times each by six subjects: mouse handling, a 14.1.30 (828291 hematology experiment, a plant McDonald, H.G. dissection, and a squirrel m o n k e y The ergonomics of operating fast observation. Data were collected via rescue craft. In: Ergosea 81, the video taping and user and observer Second International Conference on evaluation forms. Analysis of the voice comments, body posture and movement, Human Factors at Sea, Plymouth, October 5 - 8 , 1981. The Nautical and placement of equipment from the Institute, London, 1981, pp 2 1 7 - 2 3 7 . video tapes, showed clearly the areas needing human factors improvement. The Maritime Rescue Section of The subjective evaluation forms with a the Offshore Survival Centre, Robert five-point acceptance scale, were Gordons Institute of Technology, adequate in the assessment of the test. Aberdeen, has been involved over the The user and observer evaluation forms past few years in the training of crewcollected information on the observed members for fast rescue craft. During problems in one-g and the potential the past three years the Section has problems in zero-g. From the results of undertaken a major research and
March 1983
Shurtleff, D.A., and Wuersch, W.F. How to make large screen displays legible. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 25th Annual Meeting, Rochester, New York, 1 2 - 1 6 October, 1981, Edited by Robert C. Sugarman, 1981, pp 1 4 9 - 1 5 3 . Four major display variables, luminance adaptation level, symbol contrast ratio, symbol visual size and off-axis viewing angle, were related, in a rotable central composite design, to an observer's ability to identify symbols shown on a large screen display (LSD). The results show the nature and significance of all main effects as well as delineate the important interactions among these variables. The results can be used as an LSD design and evaluation tool permitting tradeoffs to be made among the important features of display equipment, projection screens and viewing facilities.
Workplace layout and equipment design 14.1.27 (82801)
Kreifeldt, J.G. Hand calculator performance under interrupted operation. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 25th Annual Meeting, Rochester, New York, 1 2 - 1 6 October 1981, Edited by Robert C. Sugarman, 1981, pp 3 2 9 332.
74
Applied Ergonomics
Hand calculators use either Reverse Polish Notation or Algebraic Notation and users of each ordinarily declare that their own type is superior. Of three published experiments, two have indicated RPN is superior to AN while one has shown no difference. The present experiment compared the two logic systems under uninterrupted conditions and when the subjects were interrupted during the task simulating real world conditions. During noninterrupted operation, no significant performance differences were found between RPN and AN. When users were interrupted, both type of logic users took longer to complete the task although AN users took much longer than RPN users. Examination of these and previous results suggest that, while RPN seems to be superior to AN, a further conclusion is that RPN and AN users may possess inherently different problem formulation logics which each match their selected calculator logics. 14.1.28 (82816)
Junge, M.K., and Giacomi, M.J. Human factors in equipment development for the Space Shuttle: A study of the general purpose work station. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 25th Annual Meeting, Rochester, New York, 1 2 - 1 6 October 1981, Edited by Robert C. Sugarman, 1981, pp 2 1 8 - 2 2 2 .
the data collected, it was concluded that various hardware features needed to be changed or modified. Immediate problems such as the electronic touch panel configuration were solved. The long term problems of zero-g work surface height and muscle fatigue need to be studied further. Ii1 order to answer some of the problems of muscle fatigue, the procedures to operate the GPWS can include appropriate rest and stretch time periods for the operators. In addition, plans are under way to study posture and muscle fatigue at work stations in underwater simulation of zero-g.
14.1.29 (82820)
Steidl, R.E. User effort related to apartment design. Home Economics Research Journal, 1981, 9 . 4 , 2 9 7 - 3 0 9 . To study the quality of the interior physical environment of apartment dwellings for the users and their activities, 115 residents in two-bedroom apartments were interviewed using a structured schedule. To obtain an evaluation of the human costs of using the environment, respondents rated their effort for tasks in each room. The users' evaluations of specific design features helped interpret ratings. Of 5059 ratings of effort relative to effect of room design on 22 tasks, 50% were decreased effort, 23% little effect on effort, 27% increased effort. Ratings of increased effort averaged I 1-87 per respondent. Implicated especially were kitchen, entry, and bathroom designs. Negative evaluations of storage, space, floor and wall materials, and sound insulation were associated (X ~) with increased effort. As satisfaction with apartment decreased, the average number of ratings of increased effort increased. User characteristics, including presence of a child, wife's employment, and the habit of saving/collecting things, were also examined. This research provides descriptive information about effects of some design decisions on user effort.
NASA - Ames Research Center has recently developed a specialised Class II Biohazard contained working space for Life Sciences experiments. This work bench, the General Purpose Work Station (GPWS), has been designed for use in the first dedicated Life Sciences Spacelab payload of the Space Shuttle. The experimenter's position and access to the work station directly impact the performance of the procedures. A series of science functional tests were developed by NASA-ARC to determine the capabilities of the GPWS and to reveal the critical points of operator interface. Four procedures were performed three times each by six subjects: mouse handling, a 14.1.30 (828291 hematology experiment, a plant McDonald, H.G. dissection, and a squirrel m o n k e y The ergonomics of operating fast observation. Data were collected via rescue craft. In: Ergosea 81, the video taping and user and observer Second International Conference on evaluation forms. Analysis of the voice comments, body posture and movement, Human Factors at Sea, Plymouth, October 5 - 8 , 1981. The Nautical and placement of equipment from the Institute, London, 1981, pp 2 1 7 - 2 3 7 . video tapes, showed clearly the areas needing human factors improvement. The Maritime Rescue Section of The subjective evaluation forms with a the Offshore Survival Centre, Robert five-point acceptance scale, were Gordons Institute of Technology, adequate in the assessment of the test. Aberdeen, has been involved over the The user and observer evaluation forms past few years in the training of crewcollected information on the observed members for fast rescue craft. During problems in one-g and the potential the past three years the Section has problems in zero-g. From the results of undertaken a major research and
March 1983