An Introduction to Usability
He is involved draw from; "Musculoskeletal Ergo-
By Patrick W. Jordan
1998, 120 pages, $26.95
Bristol, PA: Taylor & Francis
ISBN 0-7484-0762-6
REVIEWED BY DAVID A. KOBUS
AN INTRODUCTIONto Usability, though
short, was a pleasure to read, introducing
the usability evaluation process clearly
and concisely. In explaining why
usability methods are becoming key
requirements during product design
and development, the author describes
10 basic principles of a usable design
and provides examples for each. A
brief chapter describes additional con-
siderations for a usable design.
These initial chapters are an effec-
tive introduction to a detailed discus-
sion on methods for usability
evaluation. Jordan does an excellent
job of providing an overview of many
usability techniques and methods,
complete with a list of advantages and
disadvantages for each method.
Examples featuring consumer products
clearly illustrate usability principles
and methods, though some examples
relating to statistical sofware may not
be so easily understood by all readers.
It offers factors to consider in usability
evaluations and concludes with a case
study integrating points made
throughout the book.
An Introduction to Usability does an
excellent job addressing students and
individuals "connected with the process
of product creation." Its terminology is
easy to understand. I believe it is an
effective way to introduce my students
to usability testing and would also rec-
ommend it to my clients in manufac-
turing, who might better understand
the need for and the methods and
potential benefits of usability testing.
The information a designer can gain
from this book is extensive. I highly
recommend it to project managers and
engineers involved in product design
and development and to human factors
and ergonomic professionals unfamil-
iar with usability testing procedures.
David A. Kobus is director of Medical
Systems at Pacific Science & Engineering
3 8 ERGONOMICS IN DESIGN.
Group, Inc., San Diego, CA.
in various projects with manufacturers and
the U.S. government concerning design,
development, and usability testing of health
careproducts.
E.rgonomics in Health Care
and Rehabilitation
Edited by Valerie J. Berg Rice
1998, 369 pages, $45.00
Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann
ISBN 0-7506-9714-8
REVIEWED BY CORINNA E. LATHAN
IN TInS EDITED volume, Rice inte-
grates input from 28 leaders in human
factors and rehabilitation to focus on
rehabilitation ergonomics, a subset of
health care ergonomics. The organiza-
tion and continuity of the book are
some of its great strengths. The first
three chapters introduce the field of
rehabilitation ergonomics, the inter-
section of human factors engineering/
ergonomics, health care, and rehabili-
tation. Chapter 3 is particularly useful
in setting the stage for the rest of the
book, as it compares the human factors
three-step model systems approach
(analysis, design, and test and evalua-
tion) with the health care/rehabilita-
tion three-step model of evaluation,
treatment/intervention, and reevalua-
tion.
Each of five sections (17 chapters)
contains an overview chapter and
focuses on one area of rehabilitation
ergonomics practice. A practice
approach is taken in each section for
reducing the performance gap between
individuals with disabilities and their
tasks. Learning objectives and key
words provided at the beginning of
each chapter help keep the reader on
track. Excellent case studies illustrate
many key points.
Information is provided to practi-
tioners in an accessible way, including
sample checklists and instruments to
evaluate a range of impairments.
The section titled "Ergonomics-for-
One" discusses designing to meet the
needs of an individual; "Ergonomics for
Special Populations" points out the
need for databases for ergonomists to
APRIL 1999
nomics" focuses on preventing
work-related musculoskeletal disor-
ders; "User-Centered Equipment
Design" applies the ergonomics system
design model to medical device design;
and a final section discusses the role
ergonomists can play in facilitating
compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
Students and professionals in the
domains of both health care/rehabilita-
tion and human factors will benefit
from this text. It is an excellent practi-
cal guide for those who implement
human factors in the health care arena.
Corinna Lathan is a professor of biomedical
engineering at the Catholic University of
America in Washington, D.C. Her research
interests include human motor performance
in simulated environments and advanced
inteifaces for persons with motor disabilities.
IIIil
HFES 1997
Salary Survey
David R. Lovvoll
For the first time since HFESbegan conduct-
ing salary surveys in 1981, a detailed summary of
data from the 1997 survey of members is being
offered. Nearly a thousand responses netted
important data about members' years of experi-
ence, highest degree, geographical location,
employment sector, amount of time devoted to
human factors work, and other details.
The report contains salary breakdowns and
cross-tabulations of salary with degree, region, sec-
tor, sector/degree, region/degree, region/percent-
age of time devoted to human factors work, years
of human factors experience, and others. Income
from a second job and consulting rates are also
included.
The report contains the questionnaire and a
summary article published in the September 1997
HFES Bulletin.
55 pages, 8 W' x II': spiral bound. $20.00
members, $30.00 nonmembers, plus $7 ship-
ping/handling (add sales tax if mailing to California).
To order, send payment by check, MasterCard, or
VISA to:
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
P.O.Box 1369, Santa Monica, CA 90406-1369 USA
310/394-1811, fax 310/394-2410
hfes@compuserve.com, http://hfes.org