Elsevier

Applied Ergonomics

Volume 31, Issue 6, December 2000, Pages 557-567
Applied Ergonomics

Fundamentals of ergonomics in theory and practice

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-6870(00)00034-XGet rights and content

Abstract

In this paper ergonomics is defined as a discipline in its own right, as the theoretical and fundamental understanding of human behaviour and performance in purposeful interacting socio-technical systems, and the application of that understanding to design of interactions in the context of real settings. This definition is justified in the financial, technical, legal, organisational, social, political and professional contexts in which ergonomists work. On the basis of the history of ergonomics and contemporary contributions, it is proposed that it is one of the modern sciences, drawing as much from the field as from the laboratory, and including elements of an art and a craft as well. Justification for the new definition is provided by examining the interacting systems which are prevalent in the modern world and which are the domain best understood through the holistic approach of ergonomics. Finally a number of challenges for ergonomics are identified.

Section snippets

The need to re-examine ergonomics

The discipline of ergonomics should be reaching maturity. As a formal branch of learning, with its own learned societies and scientific journals, it has a history of about 50 years, for instance in Germany, The Netherlands, the UK and the United States of America (in the UK, the Ergonomics Society celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1999). However, with approaching maturity, ergonomics and ergonomists face a number of critical challenges.

The challenge most frequently addressed is that of

Some historical background

Some brief historical detail will help inform the current need to re-examine ergonomics. For much more background, interested readers are referred to Edholm and Murrell (1973); Singleton (1982) and Stockbridge (1989); two complete histories are also currently being written, by Pat Waterson for the Ergonomics Society and by Ilkka Kuorinka for the International Ergonomics Association.

Formal consideration of the interactions between people and their working environments can be found in writings

Definitions of ergonomics

A large number of different, if overlapping, definitions of ergonomics and of human factors exist; Wogalter et al. (1998) have most recently considered these. Most definitions stress the view of ergonomics as both a science which provides fundamental understanding and also a technology — applying that understanding to problems of design in their widest sense (e.g. Shackel, 1996). Within this view, the ergonomics problem space contains all elements of the total human–environment system,

Context for ergonomics

Because ergonomics must have relevance for real settings, the understanding of ergonomics findings and their application in practice requires a good grasp of context. This same context will also affect society's view of ergonomics and its value and place in the modern world. Relevant contextual factors can be summarised under headings of financial, technological, legal, organisational, social, political and professional factors.

Ergonomics works in a world of competing financial priorities, at

Ergonomics as science?

If ergonomics is to be defined as a distinct discipline or subject of study, embracing research and practice, can this be as a science? In the course of a discussion about the context-sensitive nature of ergonomics/human factors, Neville Moray (1994, p. 526) writes about “…. other branches of engineering…” [this author's emphasis], whereas Meister (1995, p. 2) suggests that ergonomics is a science albeit a largely anarchic science with no outstanding personalities. Moray (1994) believes that

Ergonomics redefined: understanding and design for interactions

In its early days, ergonomics was often applied to “unitary problems”, one person interacting with one machine or job, or behaving within an environment notable for one particular key factor (heat, noise, time pressure, etc). What distinguished ergonomics from its constituent disciplines of anatomy, physiology and psychology was the notion that it must be applied; such application was its very raison d'être, and even the term applied ergonomics was seen by some as a tautology. However, this

Challenges for ergonomics

This paper has identified a number of issues and problems facing the discipline of ergonomics. Such problems may reflect inadequacies but the day when we cannot identify ways to strengthen ergonomics will be the day when the discipline will have become sterile. The following are five particular challenges facing ergonomics now.

  • 1.

    First and foremost, we need to agree on a view of ergonomics that embraces the richness of its different traditions whilst clearly representing it as a distinct discipline

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