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Newsletter
Updated: April 3, 2000
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Contents: HFES Home Overview Newsletter Next Meeting Job Openings Membership Sites of Interest |
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NewsletterUpdated: April 3, 2000 |
| March 2000 | Volume 35 Number 3 |
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http://www.erols.com/hfespoc |
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You should also note that there is no announcement regarding the next meeting in this newsletter. The reason for this absence is that we need your inputs to define the program for the coming year. For the past several years, a lot of work has gone into presenting programs on almost a monthly basis. Many of these meetings have been poorly attended, however. Given the amount of work required, it takes a reasonable number of attendees to justify a meeting. Moreover, it is embarrassing to ask someone to speak before your group and then have only a handful of members attend.
There are many interesting and worthwhile projects the Chapter could undertake. Unless there is interest in these projects and people willing to volunteer work on them, there is little the Chapter actually can do.
The Survey is presented for a second time in this newsletter. If you have not yet responded, please do so. We need your inputs. Thank you.
Doug Griffith
February Meeting Featured Mike Fineberg Speaking on "A New Vision for CSERIAC"
Mike Fineberg, our February speaker, described what CSERIAC (the Crew Systems Ergonomics Information Analysis Center) does. CSERIAC is an information broker that provides various levels of analytical service to both government and industry clients. Through a variety of customer oriented products, CSERIAC provides, "The right human factors information at the right time." Anyone can use CSERIAC, and, in particular, CSERIAC offers a discount to HFES members. Further, all holdings are in the public domain. Thus, Mike encourages anyone with a human factors question to contact CSERIAC for further information.
CSERIAC is one of a number of Information Analysis Centers (IACs) that are part of a Defense Technical Information Center. Each IAC provides access to worldwide sources of up-to-the-minute information. CSERIAC specializes in human factors information for system designers, engineers, scientists, and most importantly, the warfighter. CSERIAC helps ensure the technological superiority of our military forces and civil systems.
Located at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH and staffed with human factors experts who have specialized training in data collection and analysis techniques ("information ferrets" as Mike calls them), CSERIAC helps clients to locate, sort, and understand human factors information. CSERIAC provides a variety of products and services, some of which are free, and promotes the use of ergonomics in the design of manned systems and human-operated equipment. In addition, CSERIAC identifies, creates, and distributes a wide range of human factors software, models, and technical publications including handbooks, state-of-the-art reports (SOARs), and technology assessments.
Mike concluded his presentation by announcing some news, "hot off the press," that CSERIAC is being renamed to the Human Systems Information Analysis Center. He also said that plans are underway to offer more e-commerce features via the organization’s website.
For more detailed information please visit the (still) CSERIAC web site at http://iac.dtic.mil/cseriac, or contact Dr. Fineberg at (703) 289-5120 or the CSERIAC director, Tom Metzler, at (937) 255-6623.
Jack Laveson
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Chapter to Offer Newsletter as E-mail Attachment
For the last two years or so, the Potomac Chapter has been making its newsletter available on the chapter website (http://www.erols.com/hfespoc) and providing members with a choice of either receiving the newsletter in hard-copy form by mail or receiving an e-mail notice that the latest edition has been added to the website. A number of members have opted for the e-mail notification, which saves the chapter the expense of photocopying and mailing. However, there is the feeling that sending just the notice probably is not sufficient, because people have to take the extra step of accessing the website in order to read the newsletter. Thus Jack Laveson, the chapter webmaster, is planning to send out the newsletter as an e-mail attachment (RTF or similar format) to those who have opted for the electronic version. The newsletter will also continue to be available on the website. Members can choose to change the manner in which they are receiving the newsletter at any time by contacting Kris Knutson, our Membership Chair (301-435-6624, krisknut@msn.com).
In Memoriam
Ralph Dusek, a long time member of the chapter, died of a heart attack on December 16, 1999. Ralph will be sorely missed. He was a friend and colleague to many chapter members and always had a happy smile for all. Expressions of sympathy may be made to his wife, Mary Dusek, at:
6309 Mori Street
McLean, VA 22101
New Job
Kris Knutson has joined the National Institutes of Health in the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (Cognitive Neuroscience Section). Her new phone number is 301-435-6624. Her email address is: krisknut@msn.com.
We have been informed that the registration packets for IEA 2000/HFES 2000 are available at http://iea2000.hfes.org along with other information regarding the Congress. Of course, those affiliated with the national organization should be receiving these packets by mail. Packets can be requested directly from Lois Smith by emailing the request to hfes@compuserve.com.
Peter Hancock to Address Students at GMU
Peter Hancock, the President of HFES, will be giving a talk at George Mason University on Thursday, April 27 from Noon to One. The students have invited Potomac Chapter Members to attend. More information will be forthcoming as soon as it is available. Monitor your e-mail for the update.
Panel on Musculoskeletal Disorders Requests Information on Interventions
The Panel on Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace, formed in 1999 as a joint effort of the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine, is examining the scientific basis for the hypothesis that workplace activities can be the source of musculoskeletal disorders of the back and upper extremities. The panel is also examining the utility of ergonomic and other intervention strategies (e.g., exercise programs, training, etc.) for preventing and reducing pain and loss of function.
As part of its information gathering, the panel is requesting comment from interested individuals and organizations representing medicine, public health, behavioral research, ergonomics, large and small business, and labor. We are particularly interested in primary and secondary interventions for preventing or reducing musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace. We would like to hear about your knowledge and experience with successful and unsuccessful interventions and the associated costs and benefits. We would also appreciate citations to supporting documentation, if available.
Responses should be limited to two pages and submitted by March 24, 2000, to:
Susan McCutchen, HA 178
Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace
The National Academies
2101 Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC 20418
FAX Number: 202/334-3584; email: smmccutch@nas.edu
Newsletter Editor’s Note – The above notice was communicated to the local chapters by the national HFES office. Even though we didn’t get a newsletter out before the due date, I would guess that your responses would still be welcomed.
APA Division 21 Mid-Year Meeting Focused on Medical Error
On March 3, APA's Division 21 (Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology) Mid-Year Meeting, co-hosted by the HFESPOC, returned to the Washington area after a couple of years absence. It was held at the George Washington University Center in Crystal City. The theme of the meeting, "Medical Error," promised to be timely and interesting, and the presentations definitely delivered on these expectations. (Pictured on the left, Doug Griffith, POC Chapter President, introduces the meeting.)
Two of the presentations were by Potomac Chapter members, Sue Bogner (pictured on the right) and Dennis Serig. Dennis discussed the topics of failures and data mining. He was discussing failures not just in the medical sense, but with respect to research, and with respect to bureaucracies that can constrain and frustrate worthwhile research. Sue Bogner, of course, has contributed to and edited a classic in the field of medical error, Human Error in Medicine [1994. Bogner, M.S. (ed.). Lawrence Erlbaumn Associates. Hillsdale, NJ]. She underscored the importance of the underlying legal, regulatory, and cultural climate in trying to address the problem of medical error. There is a need to change the concept of medical error from focusing on the who, what, where, and when of the error to focusing on why the medical error occurred. That is, there is a need to affect a change from focusing on blaming individuals to focusing on the systemic causes of medical error.
Dave Kobus presented the results of a study in which a reporting system, MIRS (Medical Incident Reporting System) was employed in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital. Although it took a while for this system to be accepted, as there were concerns regarding confidentiality and possible recriminations for reporting incidents, the system was highly successful and was eventually enthusiastically embraced by its users as it had a large impact on reducing errors. In spite of its success, however, finding funding for this system has proved to be quite difficult. In general, funding presents a serious obstacle. Although human factors professionals are consulted, there seems to be little in the way of funding for human factors efforts.
Mike Wogalter presented his work on instructions and warnings. Instructions and warnings are of obvious importance to the problem of medical error as they appear not only on medications, but also on medical devices. Mike elaborated on his Communication-Human Information Processing Model (C-HIP), which is used to guide the development of instructions and warnings.
Geoffrey Mumford of the Public Policy Office of the APA has been playing a key role in bringing to the attention of Congress research that bears upon the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on medical error. He presented the status and prognosis of legislation that has been offered so far in response to the IOM report. He also presented an overview of the complexities regarding the roles that different federal agencies can play. Suffice it to say, the situation is complicated, and, despite its relevance, funding is questionable in the human factors area. Again, there is an advisory role to be played, but whether appropriated funds find their way to human factors professionals is a big question.
The keynote address was delivered by David Woods. His theme was whether the IOM report represented an opportunity or a crisis for human factors. He reviewed the history and the relevant factors leading to the IOM report. He discussed what needed to be done for research on the problem to be successful. The central issue is whether the IOM report presented a window of opportunity for the field of human factors. Would there be sustained investment in substantive research? Would the effort would head down false trails (i.e., ignore the lessons from human factors)? There are risks, both that what is initially a human factors issue could be switched to another initiative (e.g., automation), or that the funding could be hijacked by other disciplines. Central to the entire problem is the accountability trap. As long as there is some risk that at some point people can be held liable and sued, there will continue to be a reluctance to report incidents (basic data for researching the problem). It could be that rather than there being a fundamental change (from individual culpability to analysis of the system), there will be some fine tuning done on the systems. Currently, goals are being proposed such as a 50% reduction in errors over a certain number of years. Such goals are vapid and provide ample wiggle room, given that error rates have not even been reasonably determined (they are being described with wide ranges), they have not even been adequately defined. Dave offered no conclusions. He did, however, provide some rather profound insights into the issues that captured the complexity of the problem.
One of the relatively unique characteristics of this meeting was that it was not just a series of presentations of technical reports. Indeed, technical issues were reported, but they were always reported in the context of the complexity of the overall problem. Perhaps this meeting can provide a useful paradigm for other meetings. That is, in addition to technical presentations, the context and the complexity of the overall problem need to be addressed. This will increase the sophistication of the human factors investigator and will increase the probability that appropriate funding can be generated, and that the findings will be effectively implemented.
The preceding is one individual’s perception of the meeting. Others who attended are invited to offer their observations. Even if they missed the meeting, those with knowledge of the IOM report and the issues it raises are encouraged to submit their views to the newsletter editor.
Doug Griffith
(703) 803 0100 x4120
dkgriffith@erols.com
Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence
SPRING 2000 SEMINAR SERIES
Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence
SPRING 2000 SEMINAR SERIES
Naval Research Laboratory, Code 5510
Washington, DC 20375-5337
Time: Seminars are held at 10:00am in the NCARAI Conference Room. NCARAI is located on Bolling Air Force Base (Bldg. 256) in southwest Washington, DC.
To attend: Reserve your seat by noon the Friday before the talk by visiting the Web page at http://www.aic.nrl.navy.mil/seminars/ or by calling 202-404-7036 or 202-404-7037. (Non-US citizens please notify us at least two weeks in advance.) Enter Bolling AFB through the south gate; NCARAI is just inside the gate on the left (do not enter the Navy Research Lab gate).
For a map, directions, or more information, visit the Web site at http://www.aic.nrl.navy.mil/seminars/. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, contact symposia@aic.nrl.navy.mil or call 202-404-7036 or 202-404-7037.
Internet and Society Lectures at UMCP
The University of Maryland College Park
presents a series of lectures on
"THE INTERNET AND SOCIETY"
http://www.pauf.umd.edu/events/Internet_and_Society_lectures.htm
"The Internet and the Global Information Revolutionaries"
Prof. Ernest J. Wilson III, CIDCM and Department of Government & Politics
March 30, 4:00 pm, 1109 Van Munching Hall
"A Web Guide for Citizens"
Robert Merikanges, University Honors Program and retired librarian, University of Maryland
April 6, 4:00 pm, 1109 Van Munching Hall
"The Myth of the Cybernatural: Discourse, Diversity, and Design in the Blacksburg Electronic Village and the Seattle Community Network." (Abstract)
David Silver
April 13, 4:00 pm, 1109 Van Munching Hall
"Pitfalls in Preparing for E-Commerce on the Internet"
Don Heath, President and CEO, The Internet Society
April 20, 4:00 pm, 1109 Van Munching Hall
(Title to be Announced)
Prof. Janet Abbate, History Department, author of Inventing the Internet (Inside Technology), MIT Press, 1999
April 27, 4:00 pm, 1109 Van Munching Hall
"Online Human Behavior: Psychological Aspects of the Internet"
Prof. Pat Wallace, Robert H. Smith School of Business, author of The Psychology of the Internet (Cambridge, 1999)
May 4, 4:00 pm, 1109 Van Munching Hall
Putting Digital Information to Work: Knowledge Management and Information Policy
MARYLAND FORUM ON INFORMATION POLICY ISSUES
Sponsored by the College of Library and Information Services University of Maryland
April 10 – 11, 2000
Presentations by
Dr. Thomas Davenport, Director, Anderson Consulting Institute for Strategic Change
and Professor, Management Information Systems Department, Boston University School of Management
Dr. John C. Thomas, Manager, Knowledge Socialization, IBM Watson Research Center
Mr. Ian Wilson, National Archivist of Canada
"The truly revolutionary impact of the Information Revolution is just beginning to be felt," Peter Drucker wrote recently. Like all revolutionary development, institutions’ rapid shift to reliance on digital information and the advent of the Internet and the Web are having profound, unsettling effects. Businesses are adopting e-commerce and knowledge management; the Web is becoming a vast place for trading goods and ideas; electronic government is becoming a reality in many federal, state, and local agencies; and educational institutions are transforming their programs to ensure information proficiency for the next generation.
The University of Maryland’s first annual Forum on Information Policy Issues presents three leaders in the information policy and knowledge management fields to discuss the implications of the digital information revolution, the development of policies and strategies to deal with it, and the information revolutions’ human implications.
STC Usability SIG Meeting at UserWorks
The Washington, DC Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication’s Usability Special Interest Group
Will be meeting at UserWorks, Inc.
Topic: "What To Do When You Finally Get That Usability Equipment Budget"
Date: April 17, 2000
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Place: UserWorks, Inc., 1738 Elton Road, Suite 138, Silver Spring, Maryland 20903
Dinner: 5:30 (see the STC website for details -- www. stc.org/region2/wdc/sigs)
RSVP: Scott McDaniel (scott_mcd@hotmail.com)
What will you do when you finally get the budget and the green light to put together usability facilities for your company? Dick Horst, President and founder of UserWorks, Inc., and several colleagues will present options on what to do with your newfound opportunity. Whether your budget is three digits or six, you will find out how to approach building your usability resources. What, for example, is the first key piece of equipment you should buy to start recording usability data collection sessions? What is a "typical" set-up for software usability evaluations? For more established facilities, what advantages could you gain by investing in digital video editing equipment?
Come to the April 17 meeting to find answers to these questions and more. Join us for dinner beforehand to network and talk shop. See you there!
Second International Workshop on Internationalization of Products and Systems (IWIPS2000)
13-15 July 2000, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
You are invited to attend the Second International Workshop on Internationalization of Products and Systems (IWIPS2000), at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. Plan now to come during 13-15 July 2000 to network with colleagues about globalization and localization in industry, government, and academia.
Paper sessions, an internationalization tutorial, breakout forums, and a research-in-progress briefing will be accompanied by invited speakers from across the spectrum of globalization and localization. Each day will begin with a Continental breakfast, followed by single-track sessions highlighting problems faced by those responsible for the design and development of products and systems for global markets. During breaks, at the opening reception, and at the harborside dinner, you will be able to network with a wide variety of professionals in the field, from across the world.
The Preliminary Schedule is available from Donald Day, chair of the local organizing committee (d.day@acm.org).
Seventh Annual ACT-R Summer School and Workshop
ACT-R is a cognitive theory and simulation system for developing cognitive models for tasks that vary from simple reaction time to air traffic control. The most recent advances of the ACT-R theory were detailed in the recent book "The Atomic Components of Thought" by John R. Anderson and Christian Lebiere, published in 1998 by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Each year, a two-week summer school is held to train researchers in the use of the ACT-R system, followed by a three-day workshop to enable new and current users to exchange research results and ideas. The Seventh Annual ACT-R Summer School and Workshop will be held at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in July/August 2000.
SUMMER SCHOOL:
The summer school will take place from Monday July 24 to Friday August 4, with the intervening Sunday free. This intensive 11-day course is designed to train researchers in the use of ACT-R for cognitive modeling. It is structured as a set of 8 units, with each unit lasting a day and involving a morning theory lecture, a web-based tutorial, an afternoon discussion session and a homework assignment which students are expected to complete during the day and evening. The final three days of the summer school will be devoted to individual research projects. Computing facilities for the tutorials, assignments and research projects will be provided. Successful student projects will be presented at the workshop, which all summer school students are expected to attend as part of their training.
To provide an optimal learning environment, admission is limited to a dozen participants, who must submit by APRIL 1 an application consisting of a curriculum vitae, a statement of purpose and a one-page description of the data set that they intend to model as their research project. The data set can be the applicant's own or can be taken from the published literature. Applicants will be notified of admission by APRIL 15. Admission to the summer school is free. A stipend of up to $750 is available to graduate students for reimbursement of travel, housing and meal expenses. To qualify for the stipend, students must be US citizens and join to their application a letter of reference from a faculty member.
WORKSHOP:
The workshop will take place from the morning of Saturday August 5 to Monday August 7 at noon. Mornings will be devoted to research presentations, each lasting about 20 minutes plus questions. Participants are invited to present their ACT-R research by submitting a one-page abstract with their registration. Informal contributions of up to 8 pages can be submitted by August 1 for inclusion in the workshop proceedings. Afternoons will feature more research presentations as well as discussion sessions and instructional tutorials. Suggestions for the topics of the tutorials and discussion sessions are welcome. Evenings will be occupied by demonstration sessions, during which participants can gain a more detailed knowledge of the models presented and engage in unstructured discussions. Admission to the workshop is open to all. The early registration fee (before July 1) is $100 and the late registration fee (after July 1) is $125.
Additional information (detailed schedule, etc.) will appear on the ACT-R Web site (http://act.psy.cmu.edu/) when available or can be requested at:
2000 ACT-R Summer School and Workshop
Psychology Department
Attn: Helen Borek
Baker Hall 345C
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Fax: +1 (412) 268-2844
Tel: +1 (412) 268-3438
Email: helen+@cmu.edu
ACM Conference on Universal Usability: Solutions, Systems and Methods
Washington, DC Holiday Inn Capitol
November 16-17, 2000
http://www.acm.org/sigchi/cuu/
Sponsored by ACM SIGCHI in cooperation (pending) with The ACM United States Public Policy Committee, The ACM Special Interest Group on Computers and Society, the ACM Special Interest Group on Computers and the Physically Handicapped, the ACM Special Interest Group on Documentation, the ACM Special Interest Group on Graphics and Interaction, the Association Francophone de l'Interaction Homme-Machine, the Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society, the Society for Technical Communication, and the Usability Professionals’ Association.
Call for Participation
The starting trajectory of the next millennium can be characterized largely by the progress of computing and communications technology. Cheaper and faster processors, storage, and networks combined with better user interfaces, have now spawned the incredible growth of the Internet and related services. Too often, however, system complexity, incompatible software versions and file formats, confusing interfaces, and inadequate attention to diverse users lead to confusion, frustration, and failure. It's time to address this challenge.
We invite submissions for the ACM Conference on Universal Usability, to be held in Washington, D.C., November 16 and 17, 2000. We seek work whose aim is to enable the widest range of users to succeed in using technology for information, communications, entertainment, education, e-commerce, civic systems, and government services. Challenges include the diversity of users (experts & novices, old & young, educated & illiterate, disabled, forgotten, those in ill health, etc.); the wide range of technology (e.g.; 100 to 1 ratios in processor and network speeds), and the gap between what users know and what they need to know. We are interested in research, new systems and technologies, empirical evaluations of systems, policy suggestions, and systems that support community activities. A diverse set of participants is expected including technologists, policy makers, advocates, users, and researchers.
Specific topics include (but are not limited to) the following:
Just as there are a broad range of possible approaches to universal usability, we also seek contributions in a variety of presentation formats including formal papers, panels, and poster sessions.
1) Papers. We solicit original, concise, and insightful papers of work based on providing real solutions, partial solutions, or lessons learned from failures which can be of benefit to the field. Papers should include a description of the context of use, the user(s) involved in the solution, a description of the attempted solution, a description of the impact, and lessons learned. Papers should be at most 8 ACM conference pages (about 4000 words).
2) Panels. Proposals for panels that synthesize and orient work in the area, especially across disciplinary boundaries, are encouraged. Panel proposals should define an issue, list proposed panel members, their backgrounds, and their basic positions. Panel proposals should be two pages long. Panels should provide for interaction among members and with the audience and should not consist of a series of independent mini-papers.
3) Posters. In some cases, a more appropriate means of describing your work may be in an informal, interactive setting. Proposals for Interactive Posters should include a two page description of the work and one page that shows the general outline of the poster.
All accepted submissions will be included in a (paper) proceedings published by ACM and will appear in the ACM Digital Library as well as being presented at the conference. In addition, Robert Kling will consider selected papers for a special issue of The Information Society.
Please send 5 copies of your proposal to:
Jean Scholtz
3701 Fairfax Dr.
Alexandria, VA 22203-1714
(jscholtz@darpa.mil)
Tel: (01)-703-696-4469
together with a covering letter indicating the primary contact person for the submission (including name, affiliation, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address). All proposals should follow the SIGCHI conference format: (http://www.acm.org/sigchi/chipubform/).
Critical Dates:
Proposals should be received by May 1, 2000.
Authors will be notified by June 15, 2000.
Final camera ready copies will be due by July 15, 2000.
Part Time Research Assistant/American Trucking Association Foundation
Location of work: Alexandria, VA
Salary: Per hour wage to be negotiated based on qualifications and experience.
Job is perhaps ideally suited for a Washington, DC area, part-time graduate student in human factors, psychology, or ergonomics.
Job Description:
Part-time (about 20 hrs per week) Research Assistant wanted from about mid-April
until mid-September, 2000. To help senior human factors researchers coordinate
preparation efforts to ready a multidisciplinary research team for an in-the
field, long-haul trucking experiment designed to evaluate "truck driver
alertness and fatigue monitoring systems." Work entails making numerous
coordinating phone calls, generating correspondence, perhaps occasional modest
travel from Washington to Pittsburgh. The applicant should have a technical
background, for understanding, and be able to describe, telephonically, sets of
human performance measurement instrumentation to be used in a truck cab. Will
train for that. Short resumes are encouraged electronically or via FAX at
addresses below.
Points of contact:
Gerald P. Krueger, Ph.D., CPE
Telecommuting phone & FAX: (703) 768-3421
email: JerryKrueg@aol.com
Or via U.S. mail to:
American Trucking Associations Foundation, Inc.
ATTN: Dr. Gerald P. Krueger
Fatigue Management Technologies Research
2200 Mill Road
Alexandria, VA 22314-4677
Human Factors Engineer/Analyst, DCS Corporation
LOCATION: Alexandria, VA, Patuxent River, MD
SALARY: Negotiated based on qualifications and experience.
REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced degree
in Human Factors or related area, with at least 8 years experience in an applied
setting. Candidate must be experienced in providing Human Factors Engineering
support for hardware and software systems development to achieve program
objectives. Will participate in IPT environment in support of development
programs. The position requires experience in the generation and execution of
Human Factors Program plans, HFE test and evaluation plans, review of technical
material for HFE implications, directing HFE efforts using assets that may be
drawn from several organizations, participating in program and design reviews,
performing HFE analyses to support the development of systems to execute an
operational concept, and evaluating HFE products delivered by other
organizations. Experience with the government acquisition procedures and
documentation, including specifications and statements of work, and the ability
to develop, review, and revise the documentation is also required. Desired
experience will include (depending on job position):
The position requires working closely with the customer, operational users, maintainers, vendors, and R&D organizations. For further information contact:
Dr. John W. Ruffner
Human Factors Engineer
DCS Corporation
jruffner@dcscorp.com
(703) 683-8430 x243
HCI (Cognitive Engineer) and Medical Error/Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS)
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Newsletter Editor’s Note -- John Gosbee writes that "We are trying to fill a unique position for our group and would like some help. I thought some of your members might be Federal employees and thus would have an easier path to applying for the below slot. However, the right person outside of government would be considered as well."
The incumbent serves as the resident expert in cognitive engineering (psychology) and human-computer interaction in support of all computer development activities of the VHA National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS). NCPS is devoted to reducing preventable errors in VA medical facilities. Information about how the VA is the national leader in this important area can be found in an article in US News & World Report:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/991213/errors.htm
Specifically, the incumbent assists in the design of NCPS safety databases, web sites for analysis and training in VHA facilities, and other software tools for the improvement of patient safety. This includes ideation and modeling of the information architecture and interaction design for maximum usability and utility, and is thus distinct from programming.
Duties include:
- Application of state-of-the-art data visualization techniques which are needed to analyze and retrieve data from the safety-related databases, web sites, and other key software tools
- Working with NCPS staff, VHA quality personnel, and computer personnel to build usable safety-related information analysis techniques (registries)
- Serving as liaison with other federal agency personnel and their contractors in the design of the anonymous safety reporting system and how it integrates with VHA run systems
- Development of conventions for appropriate database design to promote appropriate and efficient use of computing resources for the NCPS
- Design of user interfaces in conjunction with biostatistics personnel to leverage use of sophisticated statistical and analytic tools
- Leading design activities as assigned with other personnel involved in computer system design; providing expert advice on hardware and software configurations needed to maximize usability for all end users
- Preparation and submission of articles for publication in scientific journals.
The successful candidate for the position will possess:
- Ability to apply knowledge of cognitive engineering (psychological) principles, theories, methods, and data to the design of database and web computer systems in an operational-not theoretical-environment.
- Knowledge of and ability to apply human factors engineering methods, tools, and techniques related to computer design (i.e., human-computer interaction).
- Knowledge of literature sources and skill at critically reviewing and synthesizing large amounts of information into cogent presentations.
- Knowledge of major principles of health services management, particularly the implications in the analysis of data measuring such concepts as quality, safety, and error reduction models.
- Knowledge of PC database management techniques, statistical, spreadsheet, word processing, and utility software, e.g., Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, Outlook, Visio, etc.
LINK to this Vacancy Announcement on OPM's USAJOBs websites:
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/wfjic/jobs/II6751.htm
More information can be obtained by contacting:
1) Jeff Heget, Administrative Officer, VHA NCPS, 734-930-5890
2) John Gosbee, MD, MS, Director, National Patient Safety Registry, VHA NCPS, 734-930-5893, John.Gosbee@med.va.gov
Human Factors Professional, Federal Data Corporation
Federal Data Corporation is looking for
several senior, Senior, mid and entry level human factors professionals with a
Ph.D. or MA/MS, and will consider BS/BA, to support a research program in the
area of Civil Aviation Air Traffic Control and Aviation Security. We are
currently supporting both those programs with multi-year contracts in both
Washington, D. C. and at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center located
near Atlantic City, NJ.
In the Washington area we are particularly looking for a senior level person, with at least 10 years experience to run a HF/training program for us.
Ronald D. Lyons Ph.D
Program Director, User Systems Integration
Federal Data Corporation
(609) 272-9000
Usability Manager; Project Manager II/Freddie Mac (Req Code : 1999-R1598)
Freddie Mac
is looking for an experienced usability manager to help establish and manage a
usability group. Freddie Mac is a leader in the secondary mortgage market.
Freddie Mac buys mortgages from mortgage lenders, such as commercial banks,
mortgage bankers, savings institutions, and credit unions so they, in turn, have
more money to lend to homebuyers.
Position Location: McLean, VA
Critical Skills:
Key Responsibilities:
Work Experience:
Education:
To apply, send a letter and resume to recruiter04@freddiemac.com
Research Psychologist, Psychology Department, George Mason University
The Department
of Psychology at George Mason University has an immediate opening for a full
time researcher to work onsite at Turner-Fairbanks Research Center. In this
position, research will be conducted on highway safety and intelligent
transportation systems issues. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in
Cognitive Psychology or related area and experience developing cognitive theory
in the context of surface transportation problems.
George Mason University is located approx. 15 miles SW of Washington, DC and is the newest university in the Virginia state system. The psychology department has Ph.D. programs in applied cognitive psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, developmental, and clinical psychology. The successful candidate will join the faculty of the Human Factors and Applied Cognitive Program.
Applications will be evaluated starting on January 4, 2000, and will continue until a suitable candidate is found for this position. A vita, three letters of recommendation, a brief statement of research and teaching interests, and copies of relevant preprints/reprints should be sent to: Research Psychologist Search Committee, George Mason University, MSN 2E5, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444. For more information about the Human Factors & Applied Cognitive Program, see our web page: http://www.hfac.gmu.edu.
We encourage applications from women and minority candidates. George Mason University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Information Architect, iXL
Job Description: Designs user-centered Web-based and
multimedia solutions for iXL clients, including applying user-centered analysis
and evaluation techniques to determine effective design specifications.
Company Description: iXL offers a comprehensive set of strategic Internet services and creates lasting business partnerships. We offer a full range of interactive and multimedia services which can assist any business in creating a solid interactive media foundation. Our reputation for customer service and client satisfaction is unequaled in the new media industry. We are looking for highly motivated people who want to work for the fastest growing and most exciting new media company in America. For more information about iXL, please see our Web site at http://www.ixl.com.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree + 5 years experience in related field - Experience with leading clients through the definition and design phases of Web and multimedia projects - Experience determining requirements, writing design specifications, and prototyping - Strong interpersonal skills: communication, leadership ability, ability to follow instructions, attention to detail, and positive attitude - Experience in user and task analysis, solution architecture and user interface design, including organization of information and navigation rules is required.
Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in related field + 3 years experience - Experience designing user interfaces for E-Commerce solutions, Knowledge Management Systems, Automated Procurement Systems or other interactive business applications.
Contact:
Kristin Krahl, Information Architect
iXL-DC
1919 Gallows Road, 10th floor
Vienna, VA 22182
703.848.2700
kkrahl@ixl.com
Cancer Research Training Award Fellowship, National Cancer Institute’s International Cancer Information Center
The Usability Office of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) International Cancer Information Center announces a Cancer Research Training Award (CRTA) Fellowship. The Fellow will assist in a wide range of usability design and testing activities including: identifying user groups and designing data collection instruments; creating user interface designs and prototypes for cancer Web sites and other health communication technologies; designing and conducting usability tests at various stages of the development process at testing facilities across the country; analyzing and reporting test results; and developing usability guidelines.
Applicants should hold a graduate degree in human-computer interaction, cognitive psychology, communications, human factors, education, or information dissemination with an emphasis on electronic information transfer and user interface design and engineering. Fellowships are awarded for an initial 2-year period, with potential for renewal up to 5 years. Fellows receive a stipend commensurate with his or her education and experience ($22,000 - $27,000). Benefits include health insurance, paid Federal holidays, and travel when appropriate. Fax (301-480-8105) or mail resume, a statement of interest explaining why you are interested in the CRTA Fellowship program, and three references to:
Sanjay Koyani
National Cancer Institute
9030 Old Georgetown Road
Bldg. 82, Room 103 B
Bethesda, MD 20814
NCI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Two positions in Health and Safety Services, Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, Inc.
Are you
seeking new challenges, interesting opportunities, and technically challenging
projects? At Spotts, Stevens, and McCoy, Inc. we have rigorous deadlines,
technically demanding projects, and a flexible environment that encourages
personal growth, focuses on performance, and rewards individual and team
effectiveness. SSM is a growing employee-owned firm providing engineering, IT,
and management consulting services to private and government clients in the
mid-Atlantic region. Principal offices are in Reading, Lehigh Valley, Exton,
Lancaster, and Limerick, PA and in Baltimore, MD.
Health & Safety Professional:
BS or MS in Industrial Hygiene, Safety Engineering, or Safety Management with 8-10 years experience including developing and implementing industrial hygiene sampling plans; conducting workplace exposure assessments for chemical and physical contaminants; assessment, preparation, and implementation of OSHA required safety programs and health safety plans; conducting safety and health training and analysis; working knowledge of OSHA regulations; evaluating engineering, PPE and administrative controls for occupational exposures; on-site experience at both industrial and government facilities; and preparation of technical reports. Prior experience and evidence in developing and maintaining relationships with customers (internal/external) as well as the desire and ability to participate in business development activities also desired. Candidate must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be proficient in database, spreadsheets and word processing. CHI and/or CSP certification is required.
Ergonomics Specialist:
Successful candidate will have a BS in Industrial Engineering/Human Factors/Ergonomics Degree (Masters degree is preferred). Certification as Professional Ergonomist a plus. Minimum of 5 years experience in an industrial setting. Candidate must possess the ability to analyze ergonomic risk factors/root causes and the ability to develop and implement solutions. A working knowledge of workplace design, ergonomics audits, developing and implementing ergonomics audits, developing and implementing ergonomics programs is a must.
Contact:
Eileen Kaley
610-376-6581
eileen.kaley@ssm.com
Consultant (Ergonomics Analyst), Susan Evans & Associates, Inc.
Susan Evans &
Associates, Inc. is a management consulting firm based in the Washington, DC
metropolitan area specializing in business processes improvement, human-centered
information management solutions, and ergonomics program management services.
Our clients include Ford Motor Company, General Motors, the International
Monetary Fund, and the Social Security Administration.
Duties: SEA is searching for experienced analysts to aid clients in designing and managing their ergonomics programs using innovative e-business solutions. Related activities include reengineering business processes, facilitating user-oriented design sessions, gathering functional and technical requirements for new program management solutions, serving as a user advocate during the software development cycle, and guiding clients through the implementation of new business processes and software applications.
Basic/Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must have a Bachelors degree in related field and five years related experience. Demonstrated experience in the fields of industrial ergonomics and safety, human-computer interaction or information design. In addition, candidates must have outstanding analytical and oral communication skills, excellent document writing and editing skills, and outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills. Candidates must be able to work comfortably in cross-functional teams and have good negotiation and problem-solving skills. Candidates should have outstanding proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of software.
Desired Qualifications: MA/MS in Human Factors, Ergonomics, HCI, User-centered design, Information Science, or related field and experience in one or more of the following areas: usability testing or interface design and the application of user-centered design theory and methods, design session facilitation, project management, instructional design, technical writing, requirements gathering using a variety of techniques, process and data modeling, and database management.
Salary: Negotiable, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Outstanding benefits, including medical, dental and vision care, insurance, 401(k) and matching contributions.
When Available: Immediately
Application Deadline: April 30, 2000
Employer's URL: www.sea-home.com
How to Apply: Send resume and cover letter to:
Human Resources
Susan Evans & Associates, Inc.
301 Maple Avenue, West
Suite 602
Vienna, VA 22180
tel. 703-281-1445
fax. 703-281-1472
e-mail: evanss@sea-home.com
Research Scientist, Veridian/ERIM International
Veridian/ERIM International, a
recognized world-wide leader in cutting edge technologies related to imaging
systems, information extraction, knowledge generation and dissemination, is
seeking a Research Scientist to work in our office in Chantilly, VA.
The responsibilities will include performing statistical data analysis for imagery evaluations, conducting algorithm validation for different scientific models, and leading one or more evaluation projects.
The successful candidate should have a current TS/SCI clearance. A Master’s degree is acceptable, but a Ph.D. is preferred. Relevant disciplines include, engineering/experimental/educational or I/O psychology, statistics, applied operations research, or applied mathematics.
Please visit our website at http://www.erim-int.com
Please send resumes to:
Pbecker@erim-int.com or dougg@erim-int.com.
Mail to:
Veridian/ERIM International
P.O. Box 134008
3300 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48113-4006
US Citizenship required. Veridian/ERIM International is an equal opportunity employer.
The Corporate Mind
Here is a look into the corporate mind that is very interesting, educational, historical, completely true, and hysterical all at the same time:
The US standard railroad gauge (width between the two rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches. That's an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used?
Because that's the way they built them in England, and the US railroads were built by English expatriates.
Why did the English build them like that? Because the first rail lines were built by the same people who built the pre-railroad tramways, and that's the gauge they used.
Why did "they" use that gauge then? Because the people who built the tramways used the same jigs and tools that they used for building wagons which used that wheel spacing.
Okay! Why did the wagons have that particular odd wheel spacing? Well, if they tried to use any other spacing, the wagon wheels would break on some of the old, long distance roads in England, because that's the spacing of the wheel ruts.
So who built those old rutted roads? The first long distance roads in Europe (and England) were built by Imperial Rome for their legions. The roads have been used ever since. And the ruts in the roads? Roman war chariots first formed the initial ruts, which everyone else had to match for fear of destroying their wagon wheels. Since the chariots were made for (or by) Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel spacing. The United States standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches derives from the original specification for an Imperial Roman war chariot. Specifications and bureaucracies live forever. So the next time you are handed a specification and wonder what horse's ass came up with it, you may be exactly right, because the Imperial Roman war chariots were made just wide enough to accommodate the back ends of two war horses. Thus, we have the answer to the original question.
Now the twist to the story...
There's an interesting extension to the story about railroad gauges and horses' behinds. When we see a Space Shuttle sitting on its launch pad, there are two big booster rockets attached to the sides of the main fuel tank. These are solid rocket boosters, or SRBs. The SRBs are made by Thiokol at their factory in Utah. The engineers who designed the SRBs might have preferred to make them a bit fatter, but the SRBs had to be shipped by train from the factory to the launch site. The railroad line from the factory had to run through a tunnel in the mountains. The SRBs had to fit through that tunnel. The tunnel is slightly wider than the railroad track, and the railroad track is about as wide as two horses' behinds. So, the major design feature of what is arguably the world's most advanced transportation system was determined over two thousand years ago by the width of a Horse's Ass!
(February 2000)
The completed survey can be faxed to: Doug
Griffith at 703 803-8161
or mailed to:
Doug Griffith
ERIM
International, Inc.
14150 Newbrook Drive
Suite 300
Chantilly, VA 20151-2223
Name (Optional)__________________
1. How many meetings should the chapter have per year? _____________
2. Which time of the day for a Chapter meeting would be best for you?
Comments:_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
3. Which location for a Chapter meeting would be best for you?
Comments:_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
4. Please list the topics and or speakers you would like to hear (fill in as many of the blanks as you wish).
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
5. Please indicate activities the chapter should undertake. Those listed are intended to indicate outreach activities for the various constituencies shown, but feel free to add other activities. (Also please rank order the activities you feel the chapter should undertake in order of their importance.)
Outreach activities aimed at:
_____
students
_____
the lay public
_____
government
_____
industry (private sector)
Other activities (please explain, and include in
your rank ordering)
_____
______________________________________________________
_____
______________________________________________________
_____
______________________________________________________
6. Please share with us why you are a member of the chapter?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Please add any additional comments or suggestions you might have.
The following is the ballot for new chapter officers who will start their terms of office on January 1, 2001. Indicate your preference by checking each nominee below or by writing in an alternate choice. Please send your completed ballot to Doug Griffith by April 20, 2000.
____________________________________________
Member Signature
Please mail this ballot to:
Doug Griffith
Veridian Systems
14150 Newbrook Drive, Suite 300
Chantilly, VA 20151-2223
Or return it by fax to Doug Griffith at 703 803-8161
President
Doug Griffith
ERIM
Phone: (703) 803-0100, x4120
email: dgriffith@erols.com
President-Elect
Phone:
email:
Past President
Jack Laveson
Integrated Systems Research
Phone: (703) 642-3677
email: j.l.laveson@ieee.org
Secretary
Cliff Baker
Carlow International Incorporated
Phone: (703) 208-3454
email: cliff@carlow.com
Secretary-Elect
Phone:
email:
Past Secretary
Don Weitzman
TRW Government Information Services
Phone: (202) 651-2280
email: don.ctr.weitzman@faa.gov
Treasurer
John Ruffner
DCS Corporation
Phone: (703) 683-8430 x243
Email: jruffner@dcscorp.com
Treasurer-Elect
Phone:
email:
Past Treasurer
Dino Piccione
Federal Aviation Administration
Phone: (202) 366-0128
email: dino.piccione@faa.gov
Directors-at-Large
Dennis Faust
SAIC
Phone:
email:
Jimmie H. Johnson
Consultant
Phone: (703) 448-9035
email: jjohn72928@aol.com
Awards
Tyson Rose
IBM/ISSC
Phone: (301) 803-3378
email: ctrose@vnet.ibm.com
Membership/Directory
Kris Knutson
National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Phone: (301) 435-6624
email: krisknut@msn.com
Newsletter
Dick Horst
UserWorks, Inc.
Phone: (301) 431-0500
email: dhorst@userworks.com
Student Affairs
Sheryl Miller
George Mason University
Phone: (703) 993-4667
email: smiller@osfl.gmu.edu
Public Affairs/Corporate Membership
Phone:
email:
Program
Vacant
Phone:
email:
Home Page
Jack Laveson
Integrated Systems Research
Phone: (703) 642-3677
email: j.l.laveson@ieee.org
Local Arrangements
Vacant
Phone:
email:
Recent Meetings:
March, 1999
Bob Ochsman, "Human Factors Management - A View from the Manager's Perspective"
April, 1999
Lawrence Sklar, "Foundations of the Theory of Machine Learning"
May, 1999
Tom Granda, "FHWA's Human Centered Systems Program at THFRC"
June, 1999
Tour of National Airport tower/TRACON visit
September, 1999
Larry Schleifer, "Field Evaluation of Supplemental Work Breaks"
October, 1999
Jake Pauls, "Safety of Stair Design"
December, 1999
Steve Corrie, "A Pilot's Perspective on Human Factors in Automation"
February, 24, 2000
Mike Fineberg, "A New Vision for CSERIAC: The Right Information to the Right People at the Right Time"
