Towards a conception for an engineering discipline of human factors.

This paper concerns one possible response of human factors to the need for better user interactions of computer-based systems. The paper is in two parts. Part I examines the potential for human factors to formulate engineering principles. A basic prerequisite for realizing that potential is a conception of the general design problem addressed by human factors. The problem is expressed informally as: 'to design human interactions with computers for effective working'. A conception would provide the set of related concepts which both expressed the general design problem more formally, and which might be embodied in engineering principles. Part II of the paper proposes such a conception and illustrates its concepts. It is offered as an initial and speculative step towards a conception for an engineering discipline of Human Factors.

[1]  Nick Hammond,et al.  Introducing the interactive computer at work: The users' views , 1983 .

[2]  David Gries,et al.  The Science of Programming , 1981, Text and Monographs in Computer Science.

[3]  J. E. Sammet,et al.  Software psychology: human factors in computer and information systems , 1983, SGCH.

[4]  Kamesh Ramakrishna.  Review of "Systems Engineering Models of Human-Machine Interaction by William B. Rouse", North Holland. , 1981, SGAR.

[5]  John Long,et al.  A Framework for the Specification of Collaborative Research in Human Computer Interaction , 1988 .

[6]  J. Vliestra.  Architect or bee? The human/technology relationship: By Mike Colley. Compiled and edited by Shirley Cooley. Published by Langley Technical Services, c/o 95, Sussex Place, Slough, SL1 1NN, England , 1981 .

[7]  W. Ashby,et al.  An Introduction to Cybernetics , 1957 .

[8]  K. Preston White,et al.  Systems engineering models of human-machine interaction , 1981, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[9]  John Long,et al.  Cognitive Ergonomics and Human Computer Interaction , 1989 .

[10]  David Lopez,et al.  A state of the art report , 1979 .

[11]  Allen Newell,et al.  The psychology of human-computer interaction , 1983 .

[12]  John Long,et al.  Conceptions of the discipline of HCI: craft, applied science, and engineering , 1989 .

[13]  John M. Carroll,et al.  Softening Up Hard Science: Reply to Newell and Card , 1986, Hum. Comput. Interact..

[14]  Leo L. Pipino,et al.  In search of a paradigm for the discipline of information systems , 1986 .

[15]  J Dowell,et al.  Human/Computer Interaction Engineering (HCIE) , 1988 .

[16]  Viktor Mikhaĭlovich Glushkov,et al.  An Introduction to Cybernetics , 1957, The Mathematical Gazette.

[17]  Peter Checkland,et al.  Systems Thinking, Systems Practice , 1981 .

[18]  K Y Lim,et al.  Integrating human factors with system development , 1988 .

[19]  P. Warr,et al.  The Psychology of Work : Theoretically Based Empirical Research , 2003 .

[20]  Roger Scruton,et al.  The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance , 1987 .

[21]  Jonathan Rosenhead,et al.  Architect or Bee: The Human/Technology Relationship@@@Living Think Work: Where Do Labour Processes Come From? , 1981 .

[22]  John Dowell.  Human Computer Interaction Engineering , 1988 .