Human Factors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_factors
[edit] Introduction
Simply put, human factors involves the study of all aspects of the way humans relate to the world around them, with the aim of improving operational performance, safety, through life costs and/or adoption through improvement in the experience of the end user.
The terms "human factors" and "Ergonomics" have only been widely known in recent times: the field's origin is in the design and use of aircraft during World War II to improve aviation safety. It was in reference to the psychologists and physiologists working at that time and the work that they were doing that the terms "applied psychology", "applied psychologist" and “ergonomics” were first coined.
Other terms used to describe the discipline and their related professions are;
Human Factors > Human Factors Practitioner
Ergonomics > Ergonomist
Human Factors Engineering > Human Factors Engineer
Sub-disciplines or specialisations within this field include;
Cognitive Ergonomics > Cognitive Engineer
Usability > Usability Engineer - Usability Professional
Human Computer / Human Machine Interaction > HCI Engineer
User Experience > User Experience Engineer
This is not an exhaustive list and new terms are being generated all the time. For instance “User Trial Engineer” may refer to a HF professional that specialises in user trials. Although the names change HF professionals share a underlying vision (see “the Human Factors Community’s Vision”) that through the application of HF the design of equipment, systems and working methods will be improved and therefore have a direct effect (for the better) on people’s lives.
Human factors practitioners can come from a variety of backgrounds; though predominantly they are Psychologists (Cognitive, Perceptual, and Experimental) and physiologists. Designers (Industrial, Interaction, and Graphic), Anthropologists, Technical communication Scholars and Computer Scientists also contribute. Though
[edit] Introduction
Simply put, human factors involves the study of all aspects of the way humans relate to the world around them, with the aim of improving operational performance, safety, through life costs and/or adoption through improvement in the experience of the end user.
The terms "human factors" and "Ergonomics" have only been widely known in recent times: the field's origin is in the design and use of aircraft during World War II to improve aviation safety. It was in reference to the psychologists and physiologists working at that time and the work that they were doing that the terms "applied psychology", "applied psychologist" and “ergonomics” were first coined.
Other terms used to describe the discipline and their related professions are;
Human Factors > Human Factors Practitioner
Ergonomics > Ergonomist
Human Factors Engineering > Human Factors Engineer
Sub-disciplines or specialisations within this field include;
Cognitive Ergonomics > Cognitive Engineer
Usability > Usability Engineer - Usability Professional
Human Computer / Human Machine Interaction > HCI Engineer
User Experience > User Experience Engineer
This is not an exhaustive list and new terms are being generated all the time. For instance “User Trial Engineer” may refer to a HF professional that specialises in user trials. Although the names change HF professionals share a underlying vision (see “the Human Factors Community’s Vision”) that through the application of HF the design of equipment, systems and working methods will be improved and therefore have a direct effect (for the better) on people’s lives.
Human factors practitioners can come from a variety of backgrounds; though predominantly they are Psychologists (Cognitive, Perceptual, and Experimental) and physiologists. Designers (Industrial, Interaction, and Graphic), Anthropologists, Technical communication Scholars and Computer Scientists also contribute. Though