Human Factors in Engineering and Design

"Human Factors in Engineering and Design" is a well researched book that is recommended for anyone studying ergonomics and human factor issues in engineering and design, particularly at undergraduate level. It is a comprehensive coverage of the various relevant and pertinent topics that students and practitioners should find useful. The topics covered include information input, human output and control, workplace design, environmental conditions and human factor applications. I found the book to contain all the information pertaining to human factors that I needed, although some few areas are outdated, which however, did little to diminish the import and utility of the book. The book is well written in simple, plain English making it easily understandable to a wide audience. The only drawback is the price, which some students may find a bit steep, even though it is well worth it.

Sanders text is a review of all the significant areas of Human Factors technology. Over the years, Sanders has developed the best textbook in the field with the best examolws of applications. Recommended for everyone in this field.

This book is an excellent beginner's manual for Human Factors. It is used in several college's Human Factor's initial courses.The topics it covers are the basic "physical" human factors topics. There is breadth but not depth. However it does not do much with UI design. There is nothing on Web design or computer station design. This book's data is limited to examples that illustrate various points in the book. If you need detailed anthropometric data or workspace recoommendations you won't find it here.Alan Cooper's book About face can help you with the UI part.Jakob Nielson's Web Usability or Steve Krug's Don't make me think book can give you information on Web design. Woodson's Human Factors Design Handbook can help you with the computer station part. At lot of money for just this though.If you need detailed anthropmetric date, the sources I am most familiar with are:Human Factors Design Handbook by Woodson(though it is a biased sample, if this is all you can get it is better than nothing) Woodson's newer book (2nd edition) gives computer station information, but is pricey for just this.The measure of Man and Woman by Henry Dreyfuss and Associates (dated in 1970s)BodySpace by Stephen Pheasant (in metric)International data on Anthropometry by Hans W. Jurgens (gives you some international data found nowhere else).Another thing that may help you is the table of contents:Table of Contents:PART 1: INTRODUCTION1. Human Factors and Systems2. Human Factors Research MethodologiesPart 2: INFORMATION INPUT3. Information Input and Processing4. Text, Graphics, Symbols and Codes5. Visual Display of Dynamic Information6. Auditory, Tactual and Olfactory Displays7. Speech CommunicationsPART 3: HUMAN OUTPUT AND CONTROL8. Physical Work and Manual Materials Handling9. Motor Skills10. Human Control of systems11. Controls and Data Entry devices12. Hand tools and devicesPART 4: WORKPLACE DESIGN13. Applied Anthropometry, Work-space design and Seating14. Arrangement of Components within a Physical Space15. Interpersonal Aspects of Workplace DesignPART 5: ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS16. Illumination17. Climate18. Noise19. MotionPART 6: HUMAN FACTORS APPLICATIONS20. Human Error, Accidents and Safety21. Human Factors and the Automobile22. Human Factors in Systems designAPPENDICESA. List of AbbreviationsB. Control DevicesC. NIOSH Recommended Action Limit Formula for Lifting Tasks

In my opinion, this book is a great introduction to the field of ergonomics and human factors. Though it is indeed a bit older, all necessary fields are covered with great diligence (Information inout & processing, human output & control, workplace design, environmental conditions & human factors applications). Of course the passages concerning VDUs and computers are outdated, but these passages comprise only a very small part of the book (and, to be honest, if I want to read about these topics I would pick different books anyway!). The authors write in a very comprehensible way and many examples and pictures underline the usability of the book. To summarize, a book that is outdated concerning the most recent computer technologies (VDU etc.), but a great introduction containing everything necessary to human factors and design (and these sections are NOT outdated, as the reader before says very poignantly: "Computers may change, people DON'T change that easily).

This is a terrific text for an INTRODUCTION into the world of human factors and ergonomics, especially at the undergraduate level. It covers a wide range of topics, some (I grant) a bit out of date, but useful nonetheless. A previous reviewer mentions the content being out-of-date. I partially agree. BUT, for the most part, PEOPLE have not changed in many many years, so chapters dealing with human capabilities and limitations are still accurate, making it a good general resource. It's biggest shortcoming is lack of human-computer interaction material. Otherwise a very worthwhile investment for those interested in the field of human factors as a whole.