Human Factors in Simple and Complex Systems, 3rd Edition

2	Research Methods in Human Factors

It may be said, fairly enough, that science progresses by the exposure of error and that in so far as an endeavor is scientific it is as ready to look for error within its own contentions as in those opposing it. In particular, it has to be stressed that observation, which plays so special a role in science, is not regarded as error-free.

W. M. O’Neil1957

INTRODUCTION

In their book Physics, the Human Adventure, Holton and Brush (2000) state, “By far the largest part of the total research and development effort in science and engineering today is concerned, indirectly or directly, with human needs, relationships, health, and comforts” (p. 49). When we view science in this light, we see that human factors ...