On the relevance of qualitative methods for ergonomics

The application of qualitative methods to ergonomics research and practice offers us a new window on the nature of the interaction between humans and technology. The method discussed by Hignett and Wilson () exemplifies this potential by applying their method to explicate the attitudes of practitioners and academic researchers toward qualitative methodology itself. Their specific findings, however, may be due in part to differences between the institutional structures in which they work as well as the attitudes of the specific individuals surveyed. Here, we offer a commentary on their work and reinforce the importance of qualitative research in ergonomics, while discussing the philosophical empirical, and theoretical issues raised by the introduction of these methods. We conclude that the fundamental problems inherent in qualitative approaches are limitations on quantitative methods also, being inherent to all forms of observation. While supportive of the general thesis proposed and especially appreciative of the authors’ focus on purpose, we point to the problem of integrating different orders of knowledge as a significant barrier to future progress towards a comprehensive theory for ergonomics.     

The role for qualitative methodology in ergonomics: a case study to explore theoretical issues

The primary objective of the study reported in this paper was to look at the use of qualitative methodology in ergonomics research and practice. Qualitative methodology itself was chosen as a compatible approach to explore these aims, with ergonomics being seen as a socially situated practice. Semi-structured interviews were carried out using a prompt sheet which developed iteratively during the study. A four stage sampling procedure was used to gain access to 21 interviewees. These stages were (1) spreading the net (purposive sampling), (2) following up leads (snowball sampling), (3) focussing (intensity sampling), and (4) analysis sampling to seek out extreme/deviant cases. A total of 12 academics and 9 practitioners were interviewed from all areas of ergonomics, including cognitive (psychology), product design, engineering, human and health sciences, organisational management and sociology. The findings are represented by a model showing the interactions between multiple dimensions, including academia/practice, qualitative/quantitative and the internal and external environments of ergonomics. There was considerable interest in expanding the ergonomics toolbox to include qualitative methodology. However concerns were raised about a perceived lack of knowledge with respect to the process, which could be addressed through education and reflective practice.     

The technology of ergonomics

Attempts by the US Air Force, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics in the US, the Harmonization of European Training Programs for the Ergonomics Profession project group in Europe, and the International Ergonomics Association to determine the scope of ergonomics and its technology are reviewed. Based on these data, and the author's own observations of ergonomics internationally, the technology of ergonomics is defined as human-system interface technology (HSIT). HSIT is proposed to have five identifiable components. Each of these components is described, including a brief history of its development. Because it has developed a unique technology, the author concludes that ergonomics has evolved into a unique, stand-alone discipline that can be defined most directly by its technology. Further, that educating the general public about HSIT will increase public understanding of the nature and scope of ergonomics and its potential for enhancing organizational performance and the quality of human life.     

The virtue of innovation: innovation through the lenses of biological evolution

We rehearse the processes of innovation and discovery in general terms, using as our main metaphor the biological concept of an evolutionary fitness landscape. Incremental and disruptive innovations are seen, respectively, as successful searches carried out locally or more widely. They may also be understood as reflecting evolution by mutation (incremental) versus recombination (disruptive). We also bring a platonic view, focusing on virtue and memory. We use ‘virtue’ as a measure of efforts, including the knowledge required to come up with disruptive and incremental innovations, and ‘memory’ as a measure of their lifespan, i.e. how long they are remembered. Fostering innovation, in the evolutionary metaphor, means providing the wherewithal to promote novelty, good objective functions that one is trying to optimize, and means to improve one''s knowledge of, and ability to navigate, the landscape one is searching. Recombination necessarily implies multi- or inter-disciplinarity. These principles are generic to all kinds of creativity, novel ideas formation and the development of new products and technologies.     

人类工效学标准化现状

人类工效学标准化是根据人体特性设计工作系统、工作设备和产品的要求,旨在提高产品的可用性,从而提高操作者生产率或改善用户的健康、安全和舒适度.人类工效学标准化的范围主要包括有关人类主要特性的基本标准,有关设备、程序、产品或系统的操作或使用中的人的因素的标准,有关环境物质因素对人类影响的标准,用于人类工效学测试程序和数据处理的标准,人类工效学的一般指导原则等.     

钱学森的科学观

文章择要地阐发了钱学森的科学观。指出科学是认识世界的学问,科学是复杂的动态网络系统,阐明了科学的社会功能在于造福人类,论述了现代科学技术与马克思主义哲学的辩证关系,探讨了科学技术与人才培养的问题。     

Social and personal normative influences on healthcare professionals to use information technology: towards a more robust social ergonomics

Social structures and processes are increasingly acknowledged and studied within the human factors/ergonomics (HFE) discipline. At the same time, social phenomena are rarely the focus of HFE work, leaving a knowledge gap. This study directly addresses social and personal normative forces that influence technology use and performance. Social and personal normative influence to use electronic health records were investigated using semi-structured qualitative interviews with 20 attending physicians at two US hospitals. Analyses used a comprehensive framework based on leading social scientific theories and revealed numerous sources of influence, including hospital administration, colleagues, patients, clinical and professional groups, government and one's self. Influence was achieved through different means and invoked different psychological processes. Findings motivate a new view of professionals’ technology use as a highly social process occurring in a social context, with implications for research, policy, design and, in general, the development of a robust social ergonomics.     

Why is design logically impossible?

This paper looks at some attempts to draw on the history and philosophy of science to make design theory more respectable. Parallels are drawn between the use of logic in science and design. It notes some inherent difficulties in logic itself and makes some observations about designing under constraints.     

The emergence of large-scale logical systems and cognitive ergonomics

With the rapid progress of information technology, the work environments that cognitive ergonomics (CE) should deal with are vastly changing. Among the most important ongoing changes is the emergence of large-scale logical systems. Logical systems are in nature software-based but now grow to be both large-scaled and dynamic, integrating a variety of physical facilities and social mechanisms. The domains include telecommunication and traffic, e-commerce, production control, knowledge management, scheduling and distribution. This paper considers the characteristics of the emerging large-scale logical systems (LLSs) and discusses the ensuing needs that CE has to prepare to meet. As a potential main theme in a generalized system design paradigm, the human-system interaction in the middle abstraction levels is emphasized. The directions of further development of CE to prepare such generalization are accordingly probed. Lastly, it is pointed out that the knowledge society brings the notion of cognitive organization to the attention of CE, with increased complexity in the human part.     

Social impact assessment and ethical research principles: ethical professional practice in impact assessment Part II

This paper considers a range of ethical issues in social impact assessment (SIA) providing a commentary from a professional practice perspective. Drawing on its companion paper (Vanclay et al. 2013 Principles for ethical research involving humans: Ethical professional practice in impact assessment Part I. Impact Assess Proj Appraisal, 31(4):243–253), the 18 principles of ethical research are discussed as they pertain to SIA practice. While the ethical principles are highly relevant and align well with good practice SIA, there will be situations where the specific requirements suggested by the principles need to be carefully thought through by practitioners. Although making some general conclusions, the paper’s main purpose is to stimulate further debate about ethical issues within the impact assessment profession. Key recommendations that emerge for SIA practice include the need for SIA practitioners to use information sheets routinely, and to increase the use of signed consent forms. It is also recommended that the International Association for Impact Assessment provide a service to allow practitioners to gain ethical approval for their projects in non-routine cases.     

The role of auxiliary assumptions in the falsification of ergonomics theories

Based on the accusations that some important ergonomics theories are not falsifiable, the present article reflects on the issue in a different way than has been previously presented by ergonomics researchers. This discussion highlights the importance of auxiliary assumptions in deriving testable predictions and emphasises the complications that result from understanding falsification. These arguments are made more concrete by considering them in the context of an important ergonomics theory that has been the target of falsification-related accusations – Multiple Resource Theory. Finally, the implications of this specific discussion for larger philosophical issues relevant to the falsification of ergonomics theories are explicated.     

技术科学的发展与技术科学的社会价值

文章首先介绍钱学森先生关于技术科学的论述，重点从信息科学的发展，讨论了近代技术科学发展的特点，在这个基础上, 从应用价值、文化价值和精神价值等方面，进一步探讨了技术科学的社会价值。     

论社会科学研究生创新能力的培养

创新能力对于社会科学研究生具有重要的意义。培养社会科学研究生创新能力应从学术基础、日常生活应有的研究态度、想像力的激发等方面着手。