- Email: [email protected]
Designing information: Some approaches, some problems and some suggestions
indicate people's strategies in using instructions to operate equipment. Indeed, the effect of graphic variables can only be understood in the context of users' strategies and their preconceptions about particular equipment. 11.4.20 (78811)
Szliehcinski, K.P. Diagrams and illustrations as aids to problem solving. Instructional Science, 1979, 8 , 2 5 3 - 2 7 4 . The psychological literature relating to factors which should be taken into account in the design of illustrations and pictorial instructions as aids to problem solving is reviewed. The problem solver can invoke a wide range of strategies for using pictorial materials to achieve his goal, although pictorial instructions which indicate how to perform actions place a tighter constraint on the choice of strategy than illustrations showing only states to be attained. The designer must make his graphics compatible with as wide a range of strategies for using them as possible while building on the knowledge the problem solver already possesses. 11.4.21 (78816) Wright, P. Designing information: Some approaches, some problems and some suggestions. British Library Research and Development Department, London, Report No 5509, 54 pp. This paper summarises the proceedings of a working group set up by the British Library Research and Development Department to consider the problems of characterising the domain of information design. It provides a range of taxonomic classifications that deal with four aspects of communication: the medium (e.g. print/microfilm), the text itself (e.g. journal article/catalogue card), the readers' interaction with the text (e.g. browsing/studying) and researchers' perspectives on information design (e.g. data collection/theory building). Emphasis is given to the value of studying information users and the category of user is broadened to include both the providers as well as the recipients of messages. Suggestions are made concerning areas where further research effort could be usefully directed.
11.4.22 (78820)
accurately, their subtended visual angle at any viewing distance. Current design standards recommend letter heights in the range from 0.003 to 0.007 rad (10 to 24 min of arc) for good viewing conditions, with 0.0015 rad (5 min) considered a lower limit based on normal visual acuity. A field study involving some 2000 measures for over 300 printed displays found a mean letter height of 0.0019 rad (7 min) at the limit of legibility, with over 90% legibility at 0.003 rad and virtually 100% at 0.007 radians. 11.4.23 (78822)
Hopkin, V.D. and Taylor, R.M. Human factors in the design and evaluation of aviation maps. TRC Report No T79-5049; Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development. Report No AGARDAG-225, Jun 1979, 275 pp.; abstr in R and D A bstracts. The actual and potential contributions of human factors to the design and evaluation of aviation maps are described and assessed. The selection and depiction of map information are influenced by the tasks, by the users' and the cartographers' capabilities and by technological advances. The relevance of psychological knowledge particularly of visual perception and information processing, is appraised for map design, and methods and measures appropriate for the evaluation of maps are discussed. The skills and abilities of the successful map designer and the effective map user are considered. The communication of cartographic information in aviation could be enhanced by establishing which human factors data from other sources may validly be applied to map design and map reading. Coloured plates are included.
The legibility of displayed letters depends upon their size, or more
The paper outlines the policy with respect to testing and design of public information symbols as currently adopted by the Standards Association of Australia. This is contrasted with the policy of the International Standards Organisation. The development of testing methodologies is reviewed. Results from recognition and matching tests are discussed and some suggestions for testing in the areas of learning are considered.
Workplace layout and equipment design 11.4.26 (78861) Pasmooij, C.K. Ergonomic directives for tower crane cabs (Ergonomische Richtlijnen voor Torenkraancabines). (In Dutch.) De Veiligheid, May 1979, 55.5, 255-261 ; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 79-1773). An ergonomic approach to design and fitting out of the cab, covering 14 aspects, is given; visibility (visual field in the normal sitting posture, leaning forward, and standing); seat (design, adjustment, position); control elements (design, layout); information display; minimum dimensions of cab; access (stairway, ladder, platforms); communications (intercom, telephone, hand signals); microclimate and ventilation (ventilator with electric radiator); lighting; noise isolation; vibration absorption; emergency exit; sanitary facilities and place for personal effects.
11.4.24 (79127)
Katzen, M. Visual impact of scholarly journal articles. TRC Report No T79-5530; British Library, Research and Development Department, London. Report No BLRD-5493, 1979, 103 pp.; abstr in R and D Abstracts. Presents an overview of some of the methods used to study problems pertinent to the presentation of journal articles. Covers;Legibility; Readability; Graphic and alphanumeric material; Comprehension; Reading strategies and flexibility; Scientists' approach to scientific journals.
Smith, S.L. Letter size and legibility. Human Factors, Dec 1979, 2 1 . 6 , 6 6 1 - 6 7 0 .
in Australia 1977. Proceedings of the 14th Annual Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Australia and New Zealand, Adelaide, 10-11 Nov 1977. Edited by J. Brebner, pp. 51-57.
11.4.25 (79128)
Sless, D. Testing the effectiveness of public information symbols. In: Ergonomics
11.4.27 (78866)
French Standards Association (Association Francaise de Normalisation). Dimensions of construction - Safety rules for the dimensions of railings and stairway handrails (Dimensions des constructions - Regles de securite relatives aux dimensions des gardes-corps et rampes d'escaliers). (In French). The Association, Paris, Norme Francaise Homologuee NF PO1-012, Oct 1978, 18 pp.; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 792042). This standard, which lays down specification for railings and their component parts, and prescribes their dimensions from the safety viewpoint, applies to railings and stairway handrails and banisters in dwelling houses, office buildings, commercial, industrial and agricultural premises, schools, etc.
Applied Ergonomics
December 1980
243
Szliehcinski, K.P. Diagrams and illustrations as aids to problem solving. Instructional Science, 1979, 8 , 2 5 3 - 2 7 4 . The psychological literature relating to factors which should be taken into account in the design of illustrations and pictorial instructions as aids to problem solving is reviewed. The problem solver can invoke a wide range of strategies for using pictorial materials to achieve his goal, although pictorial instructions which indicate how to perform actions place a tighter constraint on the choice of strategy than illustrations showing only states to be attained. The designer must make his graphics compatible with as wide a range of strategies for using them as possible while building on the knowledge the problem solver already possesses. 11.4.21 (78816) Wright, P. Designing information: Some approaches, some problems and some suggestions. British Library Research and Development Department, London, Report No 5509, 54 pp. This paper summarises the proceedings of a working group set up by the British Library Research and Development Department to consider the problems of characterising the domain of information design. It provides a range of taxonomic classifications that deal with four aspects of communication: the medium (e.g. print/microfilm), the text itself (e.g. journal article/catalogue card), the readers' interaction with the text (e.g. browsing/studying) and researchers' perspectives on information design (e.g. data collection/theory building). Emphasis is given to the value of studying information users and the category of user is broadened to include both the providers as well as the recipients of messages. Suggestions are made concerning areas where further research effort could be usefully directed.
11.4.22 (78820)
accurately, their subtended visual angle at any viewing distance. Current design standards recommend letter heights in the range from 0.003 to 0.007 rad (10 to 24 min of arc) for good viewing conditions, with 0.0015 rad (5 min) considered a lower limit based on normal visual acuity. A field study involving some 2000 measures for over 300 printed displays found a mean letter height of 0.0019 rad (7 min) at the limit of legibility, with over 90% legibility at 0.003 rad and virtually 100% at 0.007 radians. 11.4.23 (78822)
Hopkin, V.D. and Taylor, R.M. Human factors in the design and evaluation of aviation maps. TRC Report No T79-5049; Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development. Report No AGARDAG-225, Jun 1979, 275 pp.; abstr in R and D A bstracts. The actual and potential contributions of human factors to the design and evaluation of aviation maps are described and assessed. The selection and depiction of map information are influenced by the tasks, by the users' and the cartographers' capabilities and by technological advances. The relevance of psychological knowledge particularly of visual perception and information processing, is appraised for map design, and methods and measures appropriate for the evaluation of maps are discussed. The skills and abilities of the successful map designer and the effective map user are considered. The communication of cartographic information in aviation could be enhanced by establishing which human factors data from other sources may validly be applied to map design and map reading. Coloured plates are included.
The legibility of displayed letters depends upon their size, or more
The paper outlines the policy with respect to testing and design of public information symbols as currently adopted by the Standards Association of Australia. This is contrasted with the policy of the International Standards Organisation. The development of testing methodologies is reviewed. Results from recognition and matching tests are discussed and some suggestions for testing in the areas of learning are considered.
Workplace layout and equipment design 11.4.26 (78861) Pasmooij, C.K. Ergonomic directives for tower crane cabs (Ergonomische Richtlijnen voor Torenkraancabines). (In Dutch.) De Veiligheid, May 1979, 55.5, 255-261 ; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 79-1773). An ergonomic approach to design and fitting out of the cab, covering 14 aspects, is given; visibility (visual field in the normal sitting posture, leaning forward, and standing); seat (design, adjustment, position); control elements (design, layout); information display; minimum dimensions of cab; access (stairway, ladder, platforms); communications (intercom, telephone, hand signals); microclimate and ventilation (ventilator with electric radiator); lighting; noise isolation; vibration absorption; emergency exit; sanitary facilities and place for personal effects.
11.4.24 (79127)
Katzen, M. Visual impact of scholarly journal articles. TRC Report No T79-5530; British Library, Research and Development Department, London. Report No BLRD-5493, 1979, 103 pp.; abstr in R and D Abstracts. Presents an overview of some of the methods used to study problems pertinent to the presentation of journal articles. Covers;Legibility; Readability; Graphic and alphanumeric material; Comprehension; Reading strategies and flexibility; Scientists' approach to scientific journals.
Smith, S.L. Letter size and legibility. Human Factors, Dec 1979, 2 1 . 6 , 6 6 1 - 6 7 0 .
in Australia 1977. Proceedings of the 14th Annual Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Australia and New Zealand, Adelaide, 10-11 Nov 1977. Edited by J. Brebner, pp. 51-57.
11.4.25 (79128)
Sless, D. Testing the effectiveness of public information symbols. In: Ergonomics
11.4.27 (78866)
French Standards Association (Association Francaise de Normalisation). Dimensions of construction - Safety rules for the dimensions of railings and stairway handrails (Dimensions des constructions - Regles de securite relatives aux dimensions des gardes-corps et rampes d'escaliers). (In French). The Association, Paris, Norme Francaise Homologuee NF PO1-012, Oct 1978, 18 pp.; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 792042). This standard, which lays down specification for railings and their component parts, and prescribes their dimensions from the safety viewpoint, applies to railings and stairway handrails and banisters in dwelling houses, office buildings, commercial, industrial and agricultural premises, schools, etc.
Applied Ergonomics
December 1980
243