Thesis-2011-Zhao.pdf (19.38 MB)
Computerised link analysis system: development and testing of a new link analysis system
thesis
posted on 2011-06-21, 16:00 authored by Yu ZhaoLink Analysis (LA) is a popular ergonomics tool used to study and improve the
layout of workspaces (Ferreira and Hignett, 2005); to study abstract
relationships, for example between criminals (Harper and Harris, 1975) or ill
people (Stuster and Chovil, 1994). It can also be used as a data (event)
recording method to capture interactions to assist the understanding of staff
behaviour and interactions with their environment (McDonald and Dzwonczyk,
1988).
Currently, most researchers still rely on the manual method to perform LA.
However, the traditional pen and paper method is cumbersome, time
consuming and gives limited outputs. Since 1964, when Haygood et al. (1964)
succeeded in improving the manual method of LA, researchers have been
trying to use computer techniques to enhance the performance and increasing
efficiency of LA. However, these methods may also have limitations. To
address these limitations a Computerised Link Analysis (CLA) system has been
developed.
The CLA system is not only a computerised LA application (layout creating,
event recording and result generating) which is able to reduce the time and
effort compared to the manual method, but is also an integrated task analysis
tool incorporating traditional LA functions, basic task analysis functions
(recording detailed description of operator activities, as components of
Hierarchical Task Analysis), and time-motion functions (recording time stamps
of operator activities). Additional outputs that are not part of traditional LA
comprise time-event lists (start/end time, duration, chronology, additional notes,
importance and operator ID), processed link diagrams (with the link direction
and frequency), as well as the conventional LA results of link diagrams and link
tables.
The CLA system was developed in four phases, including pre-test
developments (CLA v1.01-v1.05) and post-test developments (CLA v1.05-
v1.12). The pre-test developments are also called early software developments,
iv
and in this phase, the system was developed according to the specifications
which were produced based on the limitations of LA and other computer-aided
LA methods. Then three iterative tests were designed to test the functions of
the system to make sure it performs reliably under both laboratory and real
world conditions:
The Technical Validation Test (CLA v1.05-v1.08) was carried out in a
laboratory environment, aiming to ensure that the software and hardware for the
CLA system worked technically and that the outputs achieved an acceptable
level of accuracy (reliability testing and debugging).
The Usability Test (CLA v1.08-v1.11) was carried out in a laboratory
environment, aiming to test the software and hardware by observing the
performance of 12 system operators as they used CLA, collecting user
feedback after the test, and identifying possible improvements from users.
The beta test (CLA v1.11-v1.12) was carried out in a field environment,
aiming to make sure the faults identified in the Technical Validation and
Usability tests were fixed; to review real-time data recording and analysis
abilities and identify further improvements by using the CLA system in a
complex real-life environment, Emergency Department (ED) at an UK hospital.
The results show that CLA improves the traditional method of LA in both
efficiency and effectiveness. A major step forward is the additional functionality
of the CLA system as an integrated task analysis tool, which is able to collect
and process real-time LA, HTA and time-motion data concurrently. This
produces enriched data that result in both more detailed investigations of the
target environment and lead to new research directions.
History
School
- Design
Publisher
© Yu ZhaoPublication date
2011Notes
A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.EThOS Persistent ID
uk.bl.ethos.542595Language
- en