Psychology

Human FactorsHuman Factors - Photo

Our human factors research team have been conducting research in applied settings for over 10 years. Our primary aim is to promote the conduct of high quality human factors research. We seek to actively collaborate and advise in research with other organisations or institutions with an interest in applied human factors problems.

Research interests of the members of the group include :

  • the use of colour coding with complex displays
  • the link between cartography and the use of colour in control room applications
  • quality of Working Life of employees
  • how people detect counterfeit currency
  • how computer monitor use affects binocular reading
  • factors affecting detection of threat items in X-ray images of luggage
  • colour in GIS displays
  • the causes of motion sickness
  • mobile communication
  • theoretical problems of goal-directed behaviour and their implications for problem solving in complex cognitive tasks
  • ecological designs for complex medical displays
  • robotic implementation of movement control strategies

Research example:

How can colour be used to improve user interactions with control room displays?

Colour coding principles similar to those used in cartography may theoretically be applied to colour code any type of information display, yet relatively little is known concerning how such techniques might impact on people’s performance. Research conducted by Dr Darren Van Laar of the Human Factors group has investigated whether creating visual colour layers that are specially designed to support the tasks performed by display users can be used to enhance the extraction of information from displays. When compared to monochrome or simple (non-layered) colour displays, the use of visual colour layers was found to produce no increase in reading errors but significantly faster reaction times when finding information. The research which was conducted in collaboration with the nuclear industry also showed that the application of the colour layering technique reduced perceived task difficulty and was preferred by display operators.

Selected Publications:

  • Wong, J. H., Peterson, M. S., & Hillstrom, A. P. (2007). Are changes in semantic and structural information sufficient for oculomotor capture? Journal of Vision, 7, Issue 10, Article 3, 1-10.
  • Hillstrom, A. P., & Chai, Y. C. (2006). Factors that guide or disrupt attentive visual processing. Computers in Human Behavior,22, 648-656.
  • Hillstrom, A. P., Husain, M., Shapiro, K. L., & Rorden, C. (2004). Spatiotemporal dynamics of Attention in Visual Neglect: A Case Study. Cortex, 40, 433-440.
  • Turner, M., Love, S., & Howell, M. (2007). Understanding emotions experienced when using a mobile phone in public: The Social Usability of Mobile (Cellular) Telephones, Telematics and Informatics, in press.
  • Howell, M., Love, S. & Turner, M. (2005). The impact of spatial metaphor and context of use on the usability of a speech-based mobile city guide service. Behaviour & Information Technology, 24(1), 67-78.
  • Howell, M., Love, S. & Turner, M. (2006). Visualisation improves the use of voice-operated mobile phone services, International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 64, 754–769.
  • Lytridis, C., Kadar, E. E., & Virk, G. S. (2006).  A systematic approach to the problem of odour source localisation.  Autonomous Robots, 20, 261-276.
  • Rogers, S., Kadar, E. E. & Costall, A. (2005).  Gaze patterns in visual control of straight-road driving and braking as a function of speed and expertise. Ecological Psychology, 17,19-38.
  • Van Laar, D., Edwards, J.A., & Easton, S. (2007). The Work-Related Quality of Life scale for healthcare workers. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 60(3),325-333.
  • Van Laar, D., Deshe, O. (2007). Color Coding of Control Room Displays: The Psychocartography of Visual Layering Effects. Human Factors, 49(3), 477-490.
  • Guest, S., & Van Laar, D. (2002). The effect of name category and discriminability on the search characteristics of colour sets.  Perception, 31, 445-461.

Researchers:

Dr Darren Van Laar BSc MSc PhD CPsychol CITP MErgS:

Darren has 15 years experience as a Human factors researcher and consultant and has specialised in the design of information displays for control rooms. Darren is currently researching into the use of colour coding with complex displays and has recently published important papers on the link between cartography and the use of colour in control room applications. His recent work in this area has been sponsored by Network Rail and BNFL. Darren has also been working with colleagues in the area of the Quality of Working Life (QoWL of employees).  This work has been sponsored by the Higher Education Innovation Fund. 

Dr Anne Hillstrom BS MA PhD:

Anne's main research interests are in the area of attention and object recognition. Her applied projects have included:

  • how people detect counterfeit currency
  • how extensive computer monitor use affects binocular reading
  • factors affecting detection of threat items in X-ray images of luggage
  • how colour in GIS displays affects how people scan the displays when looking for targets.

Dr Mark Turner BSc MSc PhD:

Mark is experienced in the use of vehicle motion measurement techniques and survey methods for assessing passenger responses. He has conducted large scale field studies into the causes of motion sickness in liaison with air, shipping and coach operators. His current research interests centre on mobile communication. He has conducted research exploring the usability of mobile telephony and the social utility of mobile communication for personal support and enhancing relationship quality, in conjunction with mobile service providers and colleagues from other universities.

Dr Endre Kadar MSc MA PhD:

Endre is currently engaged in research examining the theoretical problems of goal-directed behaviour (eg, perceptual control of animal navigation, high speed driving, exploratory learning) and their implications for problem solving in complex cognitive tasks (eg navigation in abstract work spaces). He is also working on Ecological Designs for Complex Medical Displays and robotic implementation of movement control strategies motivated by his theoretical work.  He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Climbing and Walking Robots Association. 

Current Research Projects:

Current human factors based research projects involving our academic staff, postgraduate research assistants and students include:

  • the development of Human Factors guidelines for Online Learning
  • the design and usability of mobile and web-based interfaces
  • evaluating design metaphors to aid user performance with voice based menu systems
  • the use of mobile devices and new technologies for learning
  • perceptual control during high speed driving
  • the use of mobile phones whilst driving
  • motion sickness susceptibility to real and virtual stimuli
  • the use of colour in information displays
  • visual layering techniques in complex control room displays

Facilities:

Colour vision laboratory
Perception laboratory (for HCI)
Human movement laboratories

Contact Information:

If you would like to find out more about how we could support your work, please contact:

Human Factors Group Coordinator
Department of Psychology
University of Portsmouth
King Henry Building
King Henry I Street
Portsmouth. PO1 2DY.

Telephone: +44 (0)23 9284 6313

Fax: +44 (0)23 9284 6300

Email: Darren.Van.Laar@port.ac.uk