Is utility in the mind of the beholder? A study of ergonomics methods.

This paper reviews the use of ergonomics methods in the context of usability of consumer products. A review of the literature indicated that there is upward of 60 methods available to the ergonomist. The results of the survey indicated that questionnaires, interviews and observation are the most frequently reported methods used. Ease of use of the methods was dependent upon type of method used, presence of software support and type of training received. Strong links were found between questionnaires and interviews as a combined approach, as well as with HTA and observation. However, a questionnaire survey of professional ergonomists found that none of the respondents had any documented evidence of the reliability and validity of the methods they were using. A study of training people to use ergonomics' methods indicated the different requirements of the approaches, in terms of training time, application time and subjective preferences. An important goal for future research is to establish the reliability and validity of ergonomics methods.