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Effects of response instructions and question style on the ease of completing forms
ripcord release. The apparatus used to eliminate reaction forces external to the body (which are absent during freefall) and the method of recording maximum pull forces as a function of time are described in this paper. Pull forces which can be exerted for periods of 0"25, I, 1"5, 2 and 2"5 s during a 5 s pull are presented in percentile form. A substantial percentage of female parachutists could not exert the maximum pull force permitted by the relevant parachute specification. The relatively low level of strength exhibited by the weakest groups of the population emphasises the need for such basic information in equipment design. 11.3.18 (78180) Drury, C.G. Safety in manual materials handling.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Oncinnati, Ohio, USA, DHEW (NIOSH) Publication No 78-185, Jul 1978, 209 pp; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 79-906). The 24 papers and 3 workshops in the Symposium were intended to summarise the state of the art and to help set priorities for future research on the following topics: accidents, injuries and standards; handling hazards; the medical problem; back loads in fixed spinal postures and in lifting; safe handling forces; human strength assessment; strength, duration and recovery mechanisms; metabolism; cardiovascular and respiratory limitations on muscular fatigue during lifting, psychophysiological indices; measurement of posture and forces in lifting; biomechanical models; computer models; lifting capacity models; risk taking in manual handling; design of containers for handling; effects of frequency, duration and pace; environmental characteristics (microclimate); training; industrial engineering functions; role of safety management.
Visual displays 11.3.19 (78210) Bateman, R.P. Design evaluation of an interface between passengers and an automated ground transportation system. In:
Compass for Technology, Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, Boston, Massachusetts, Oct 29-Nov 1 1979, Edited by C.K. Bensel, pp 1 1 9 - 1 2 3 . In an automated airport ground transportation system, passengers who are not familiar with the system nor oriented with respect to the airport are faced with the problem of selecting a vehicle and destination to change between airlines. The design of an interface between an untrained human
user and an automated system requires skilful application of basic human factors principles. An existing system was studied to determine its effectiveness. Passengers were interviewed to identify specific problems. An operational sequence diagram was used to analyse the interface problem. A simplified sequence is proposed in a design modification which can be implemented at minimum cost. A redesign of the complete interface, using the power of the computer which controls the system, and applying human factors principles, results in a greatly simplified operational sequence diagram and is recommended for future systems.
11.3.20 (78214) Rutley, K.S., and Webb, P.J. Recognition distances and understanding of legends on an experimental motorway signal. Transport and Road
Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, Berks, Report No SR-500, 1979, 20 pp. A new type of matrix signal is being considered to improve the effectiveness of the motorway signalling system. Ila addition to the advice given by the present signal, it would inform drivers of the nature and location of hazards. A prototype three-part signal has been built to display this information, and a number of pictograms have been designed for indicating the nature of the hazard. Measurements were made of the recognition distance of the three parts of the signal. The effect of a normal accumulation of road dirt on matrix signal recognition was assessed at the same time. The pictograms were tested to find out how effective they were in conveying the desired meaning to drivers who had not seen them before. The tests showed that the top advisory panel and the 'distance ahead' panel could be recognised from distances adequate for motorway speeds. Although some of the pictograms on the prototype signal were not recognised from a sufficient distance, modifications have been made to this part of the signal which allows a 60% increase in the linear dimensions of the pictograms within the same overall signal size. The recognition distances of the enlarged pictograms expected to be obtained by the average driver are now adequate. Pictograms which were similar to those currently used on some fixed traffic signs were well understood. New designs were understood by between 40 and 100% of subjects, indicating that some publicity might be needed before they were used. 11.3.21 (78215) Selfridge, K.M. Planning and designing directionfinding systems. In: Compass for
Technology, Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, Boston, Massachusetts, Oct 2 9 - N o v 1 1979, Edited by C.K. Bensel, pp 4 6 1 - 4 6 3 . A sign system is not merely a collection of separate signs, each with its separate purpose; but a system with several purposes: to guide and direct; to identify; to inform and instruct; and to contribute to a consistent beauty of the environment. The graphic designers' jobs in designing good sign systems are to understand how people read, perceive, and respond to signs. They need to know about the results of human factor psychology. Psychologists should in turn understand what graphic designers have to consider and what they do, so as to improve the communication between them. ] 1.3.22 (78222) Barnard, P.J., Wright, P., and Wilcox, P. Effects of response instructions and question style on the ease of completing forms. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 1979, 5 2 . 3 , 2 0 9 - 2 2 6 .
Three series of experiments are reported. Each series is concerned with a different aspect of efficient data collection via formalised question and answer protocols. In series 1 it is found that people are faster endorsing an answer (eg circle what does apply) than negating one (eg delete what does not apply). In series 2 it is found that people are faster responding to statements offering multiple alternatives within a sentence frame (eg I am single/ married) than responding to yes/no questions (eg Are you married?). However this advantage for sentence frame questions depends on the multiple alternatives being at the end of the sentence rather than at the beginning. Series 3 addresses administrative issues. Here it is found that error-checking procedures are faster when the formfiller has endorsed rather than negated items. It is also found that many formfillers ignore instructions about how to respond. The implications of these findings for the revision of forms to meet the requirements of automated data processing facilities are discussed. Throughout, the economic consequences of good form design are emphasised.
Auditory displays 11.3.23 (78229) German Standards Institute Acoustic danger signals (Akustische Gefahrensignale). (In German.) (Deutches Institut fur Normung), Berlin. The Institute Berlin, DIN
33 404, Tell 1, Beuth Verlag GmbH, Berlin, 1977, 2 pp; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 79-854).
Applied Ergonomics
September1980
177
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Oncinnati, Ohio, USA, DHEW (NIOSH) Publication No 78-185, Jul 1978, 209 pp; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 79-906). The 24 papers and 3 workshops in the Symposium were intended to summarise the state of the art and to help set priorities for future research on the following topics: accidents, injuries and standards; handling hazards; the medical problem; back loads in fixed spinal postures and in lifting; safe handling forces; human strength assessment; strength, duration and recovery mechanisms; metabolism; cardiovascular and respiratory limitations on muscular fatigue during lifting, psychophysiological indices; measurement of posture and forces in lifting; biomechanical models; computer models; lifting capacity models; risk taking in manual handling; design of containers for handling; effects of frequency, duration and pace; environmental characteristics (microclimate); training; industrial engineering functions; role of safety management.
Visual displays 11.3.19 (78210) Bateman, R.P. Design evaluation of an interface between passengers and an automated ground transportation system. In:
Compass for Technology, Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, Boston, Massachusetts, Oct 29-Nov 1 1979, Edited by C.K. Bensel, pp 1 1 9 - 1 2 3 . In an automated airport ground transportation system, passengers who are not familiar with the system nor oriented with respect to the airport are faced with the problem of selecting a vehicle and destination to change between airlines. The design of an interface between an untrained human
user and an automated system requires skilful application of basic human factors principles. An existing system was studied to determine its effectiveness. Passengers were interviewed to identify specific problems. An operational sequence diagram was used to analyse the interface problem. A simplified sequence is proposed in a design modification which can be implemented at minimum cost. A redesign of the complete interface, using the power of the computer which controls the system, and applying human factors principles, results in a greatly simplified operational sequence diagram and is recommended for future systems.
11.3.20 (78214) Rutley, K.S., and Webb, P.J. Recognition distances and understanding of legends on an experimental motorway signal. Transport and Road
Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, Berks, Report No SR-500, 1979, 20 pp. A new type of matrix signal is being considered to improve the effectiveness of the motorway signalling system. Ila addition to the advice given by the present signal, it would inform drivers of the nature and location of hazards. A prototype three-part signal has been built to display this information, and a number of pictograms have been designed for indicating the nature of the hazard. Measurements were made of the recognition distance of the three parts of the signal. The effect of a normal accumulation of road dirt on matrix signal recognition was assessed at the same time. The pictograms were tested to find out how effective they were in conveying the desired meaning to drivers who had not seen them before. The tests showed that the top advisory panel and the 'distance ahead' panel could be recognised from distances adequate for motorway speeds. Although some of the pictograms on the prototype signal were not recognised from a sufficient distance, modifications have been made to this part of the signal which allows a 60% increase in the linear dimensions of the pictograms within the same overall signal size. The recognition distances of the enlarged pictograms expected to be obtained by the average driver are now adequate. Pictograms which were similar to those currently used on some fixed traffic signs were well understood. New designs were understood by between 40 and 100% of subjects, indicating that some publicity might be needed before they were used. 11.3.21 (78215) Selfridge, K.M. Planning and designing directionfinding systems. In: Compass for
Technology, Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, Boston, Massachusetts, Oct 2 9 - N o v 1 1979, Edited by C.K. Bensel, pp 4 6 1 - 4 6 3 . A sign system is not merely a collection of separate signs, each with its separate purpose; but a system with several purposes: to guide and direct; to identify; to inform and instruct; and to contribute to a consistent beauty of the environment. The graphic designers' jobs in designing good sign systems are to understand how people read, perceive, and respond to signs. They need to know about the results of human factor psychology. Psychologists should in turn understand what graphic designers have to consider and what they do, so as to improve the communication between them. ] 1.3.22 (78222) Barnard, P.J., Wright, P., and Wilcox, P. Effects of response instructions and question style on the ease of completing forms. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 1979, 5 2 . 3 , 2 0 9 - 2 2 6 .
Three series of experiments are reported. Each series is concerned with a different aspect of efficient data collection via formalised question and answer protocols. In series 1 it is found that people are faster endorsing an answer (eg circle what does apply) than negating one (eg delete what does not apply). In series 2 it is found that people are faster responding to statements offering multiple alternatives within a sentence frame (eg I am single/ married) than responding to yes/no questions (eg Are you married?). However this advantage for sentence frame questions depends on the multiple alternatives being at the end of the sentence rather than at the beginning. Series 3 addresses administrative issues. Here it is found that error-checking procedures are faster when the formfiller has endorsed rather than negated items. It is also found that many formfillers ignore instructions about how to respond. The implications of these findings for the revision of forms to meet the requirements of automated data processing facilities are discussed. Throughout, the economic consequences of good form design are emphasised.
Auditory displays 11.3.23 (78229) German Standards Institute Acoustic danger signals (Akustische Gefahrensignale). (In German.) (Deutches Institut fur Normung), Berlin. The Institute Berlin, DIN
33 404, Tell 1, Beuth Verlag GmbH, Berlin, 1977, 2 pp; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 79-854).
Applied Ergonomics
September1980
177