Argues that Nassi-Schneiderman (NS) charts, when used to diagram human procedures, can eliminate prose ambiguities. Asserts that these devices provide most of the advantages of decision tables and trees. Suggests using NS charts in testing the logic and completeness of traditional procedures, or even in place of many traditional publications. (SG)

Discusses a preliminary study of the effect of ballot interface design on voting behavior. Finds significant problems related to human factors and the organization of information on the ballot on mechanical and electronic voting machines. (RS)

Cranial capacities are calculated from external head measurements reported for 40 samples (tens of thousands of subjects) from a 1990 review of ergonomically important body measurements compiled by the International Labour Office. The correlation between brain size and intelligence for groups and individuals is discussed. (SLD)

Applying ergonomics to the classroom involves the five principles of job design: variety of assignments, identity/importance, autonomy/control, feedback/recognition, and opportunity for personal growth. (SK)

The purpose of this study is to review the main perspectives or issues dealt with in the research on considered to be key competences, in order to develop a fuller understanding of how human competence functions. As a result of this review, two themes considered as having important implications for the actual practices can be identified: that…

Ergonomics, or human factors, is the study of the relationship between people as functioning physical beings and the world in which they exist and this includes the textual material that they read. The presentation of textual material can be considered from two points of view: (1) the qualities of the text as impacted by the author; and (2) the…

This study compared cardio-respiratory responses during maximal arm work using a Monarch Model 880 Rehab Trainer to cardio-respiratory responses during maximal leg work on a Monarch Model 850 Bicycle Ergometer. Subjects for the investigation were 17 male university students ranging from 18 to 28 years of age. The specific variables compared…

Paper presents a mathematical framework which describes an aspect of the means of communication between a physical system in motion and a sequential logic network. (Author)

Offers basic performance criteria to use in evaluating, comparing, and designing products for the disabled. (Author/MLF)

Describes recent experiments at Cornell University; at schools in East Cleveland, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky; and at Middle Island School in Brookhaven, New York. (MLF)

Outlines how classification systems or codes, operating in a variety of contexts, regulate the interaction between man and the built environment. Views the ritual forms of the built environment as transmitters of culture. Suggests that this framework might provide a new starting point for investigations into the built environment in use and the…

Discusses records made of the London Weather Centre indicative of concentrated sunshine symmetrically about noon, which provides a probability of sunshine occurring on vertical surfaces to be greatest for south facing walls. Concludes that design recommendations should be based on available, rather than on theoretically possible, sunshine duration…

The characteristics of the rear-projection screen are examined in detail. Numerical constants are provided that define these characteristics for practical screens and convert foot-candles to footlamberts. A procedure is given by which an optimum screen may be specified for a specific application. Contents include--(1) introduction, (2) projection…

Technique for Establishing Personnel Performance Standards (TEPPS) is a tool for use in man-machine system design and analysis. This is a guide to its application. It specifies the types of input data required, provides instructions and examples on how to proceed through the various steps in TEPPS' application, and includes guidelines for…

More sophisticated and better controlled light, a key factor in environmental engineering, is discussed in three sections as follows--(1) how light should be released into interior spaces to satisfy the optical, physiological and psychological characteristics of people, (2) ways of reducing reflected glare, including the use of polarization, and…