CODING DESIGNS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS EFFECTIVENESS … Designs Contributing... · 2015. 5. 14. ·...
Transcript of CODING DESIGNS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS EFFECTIVENESS … Designs Contributing... · 2015. 5. 14. ·...
CODING DESIGNS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE EFFECTIVENESS
OF USING CONTROL AND DISPLAY PANEL: AN INSIGHT FROM RTM
KUCHING, SARAWAK.
CAROLINE GASAH
This project is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Bachelor of Cognitive Sciences with Honours
Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
2005
The project entitled ‘CODING DESIGNS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF USING CONTROL DISPLAY PANEL: AN INSIGHT
FROM RTM KUCHING, SARAWAK’ was prepared by CAROLINE GASAH and
submitted to the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development in partial
fulfillment on the requirements for a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Cognitive
Sciences.
Received for examination by:
---------------------------------------
(Mdm. Wan Norizan Wan Hashim)
Date:
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to dedicate my deepest gratitude to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
(UNIMAS) and Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) Kuching branch for giving me an
opportunity to complete my final year project in broadcasting department RTM.
A special appreciation goes to my final year project supervisor, Mdm. Wan
Norizan for being such a dedicated supervisor and lecturer to me. I really be thankful
for her patients, precious times, comments, and the stimulating ideas that she
presented to me. Great thanks go for Cognitive Sciences lecturers in UNIMAS for
their comments, corrections, and suggestions which allow me to complete my study.
I would like to use this opportunity to give thanks to my supervisors in RTM
Mr. Sa’aif Hj. Amit and Mdm. Caroline, in the Secretariat and Human Resource
Development Department for their guidance and help, that much contribute to the
successful of this study. Besides, thank you to all the technicians in MCR and also
Mr. Francis Lenggi Nyaran and Miss Rolana Gilbert, announcers in Rangkaian Iban,
for being committed respondents during my data collection. Without their
cooperation, I will never finish my final year project.
Praise the Lord for guiding me all my way of completing my study and also
for the strength that he gave to me. I would also like to express my thanks and
appreciations to all my friends, especially for the members of UCF that been prayed
for my successful. Finally, thank you to my family for always be with me.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
VERIFICATION ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS iv
LIST OF FIGURES vii
LIST OF TABLES viii
ABSTRACT ix
ABSTRAK x
1. CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Research background 5
1.3 Company’s profile 17
1.4 Problem statement 18
1.5 Objectives
1.5.1 General objectives 19
1.5.2 Specific objectives 19
1.6 Assumption 20
1.7 Significance of the study 20
1.8 Research scope 21
1.9 Limitation of the study 21
1.10 Terms and keywords’ definition 22
1.10.1 Ergonomic 22
1.10.2 User-centered design 23
1.10.3 Usability 23
1.10.4 Usability Testing 24
1.10.5 Display 24
1.11 Conclusion 25
2. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction 26
2.1 Usability testing 27
2.2 Heuristic evaluation 29
2.3 Related research
2.3.1 Ergonomic design and usability engineering 29
2.3.2 Control-display compatibility 30
2.3.3 Display designs 31
2.3.4 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) 33
2.3.5 Control error 34
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3. CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction 36
3.1 Design of research 37
3.1.1 Primer data 37
3.1.2 Secondary data 38
3.2 Population and sample 38
3.2.1 Population 38
3.2.2 Sample 39
3.3 Research instruments 39
3.4 Pilot test 40
3.5 Data collection 40
3.6 Data analysis 41
4. CHAPTER 4 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.0 Introduction 42
4.1 Result of survey questionnaires 43
4.1.1 Respondent demographic factor 43
4.1.1.1 Race 43
4.1.1.2 Sex 44
4.1.1.3 Job position 44
4.1.1.4 Duration of service 45
4.1.1.5 Work shift 46
4.1.2 Result of the survey on the system 46
Part 1: Job satisfaction 47
Part 2: Job safety & error prevention 48
Part 3: Discussions on the survey 49
4.2 Result of the observation 49
4.2.0 Introduction 49
4.2.1 Colour 50
4.2.2 Labelling 53
4.2.3 Location 56
4.2.4 Mode of operation 58
4.2.5 Size 59
4.2.6 Shape 61
4.2.7 Texture 63
4.3 Report on interview 64
4.3.1 Introduction 64
4.3.2 Result of the interview 64
4.4 Discussion 65
4.5 Conclusion 66
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5. CHAPTER 5 SUMMARIES, CONCLUSIONS, AND SUGGESTIONS
5.0 Introduction 67
5.1 Summaries 68
5.2 Conclusions 70
5.3 Suggestions 71
5.4 Future research 78
6. APPENDIXES
Appendix A: Questionnaires 79
Appendix B: CD 82
7. BIBLIOGRAPHY 83
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Examples of situations in control room. 2
Figure 2 Pushbutton 9
Figure 3 Push-pull switches 10
Figure 4 Toggle switches 10
Figure 5 Rocker switches 11
Figure 6 Cranks 12
Figure 7 Slide switch 12
Figure 8 Lever switches 13
Figure 9 Continuous thumbwheel 13
Figure 10 A summary of participants’ choices 31
Figure 11 Relations between process operations, modules, display
content, operator activities and graphical items
32
Figure 12 Summary of statistical significance (p ≤ 0.05) 34
Figure 13 Data from the second example of vehicle lane keeping
where rightward errors are negative and leftward errors
are positive.
35
Figure 14 Respondents populations according to race 46
Figure 15 Respondents populations according to job position 47
Figure 16 Respondents populations according duration of service 48
Figure 17 Sample pictures on colour coding design 52
Figure 18 Sample pictures on the use of labeling 54
Figure 19 Variations of volume symbols 55
Figure 20 Variations on Power Buttons 55
Figure 21 Sample pictures on the location coding design 56
Figure 22 Sample pictures on mode of operation 58
Figure 23 Sample pictures on size coding 59
Figure 24 Types of shapes used in MCR and Conty 61
Figure 25 Sample pictures on texture coding design 63
Figure 26 Analogue audio mixers 72
Figure 27 Dramatic Control Panel 73
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Technicians’ job satisfaction on the system in MCR 47
Table 2 Technicians’ opinion on the system’s job safety and error
prevention
48
Table 3 Types of colors used in MCR and Conty 51
Table 4 Types of colour functions 51
Table 5 Types of labeling used in MCR and Conty 53
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ABSTRACT
CODING DESIGNS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
USING CONTROL AND DISPLAY PANEL: AN INSIGHT FROM RTM
KUCHING, SARAWAK
Caroline Gasah
This study is expected to determine whether the seven controls’ coding
designs contributing towards the effectiveness of using control and display panel in
broadcasting area. Besides, the study also aimed to propose suggestions to improve
the effectiveness towards using control and display panel in broadcasting area. The
research scope covers the technicians in Main Control Room (MCR), and also the
announcers in the Conty Room, in broadcasting department, RTM Kuching. The
study is used qualitative research methodology, where covers 30 respondents, with 28
technicians, and 2 announcers. There are three main methods to conduct the study,
including observation, survey questionnaires, and semi-structured interview. Form
the observation, we found that each of the seven coding designs has its own
responsibility in contributing towards the effectiveness of using controls. The survey
shows that the employees gain their expertise from the job experiences. On the other
part, the interview results that announcers in the Conty Room also gained their
expertise and automatist from the experiences. As a conclusion, we found that all the
seven coding designs contributing towards the effectiveness of using control and
display panel, and in the same time, all the respondents agreed that the controls
coding design much contributed towards the usability of control and display panel.
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Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
The title of the research is “Coding Designs Contributing towards
Effectiveness of Using Control & Display Panel: An Insight from RTM Kuching,
Sarawak.” The purpose research is to determine how the coding designs
contributing towards effectiveness of using control and display panels. The
research will cover up the components of designing the controls at the Control
Room. The effectiveness of using control & display panel will be studied in seven
major terms of coding designs: color, texture, size, shape location, labeling and
also operational designs. The Control Room used a relay switching system to
enable the complete chain of transmission between any studio and any outgoing
line to be set up in the least possible time.
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One man could sit at a control position here and control all the studios in the
building. The examples of situations in the Control Rooms are as in Figure 1
follows:
Figure 1: Examples of situations in control room.
1.1 Control designs
According to Kroemer, K. H. E. (1994), there are seven coding principles of
control designs. They are:
i. Location
ii. Color
iii. Texture
iv. Size
v. Shape
vi. Labeling
vii. Mode of operation
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i. Location
Controls associated with similar functions shall be in the same relative
location from panel to panel. Controls work better when they are located
vertically rather than horizontally.
ii. Color
This is useful for visual identification of the control works. It works best
when combined with the other types of coding because individuals may
have problems with color vision or there may be conditions of low light.
Most controls are either black or gray. For other colors, the following
may be selected: red, white, orange-yellow and blue. The use of color
requires sufficient luminance of the surface.
iii. Texture
Surface texture of the control can also ease identification. With rough
textures this also allows smaller controls to be used by gloved hands.
iv. Size
Size coding aids visual discrimination but isn't as good for tactile
discrimination. The two forms of coding work together when vision is
limited (e.g. using a microscope).
Up to three different sizes of controls can be used for discrimination by
size. Controls that have the same function on different items or
equipments shall have the same size (and shape).
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v. Shape
Shaping controls to distinguish them can appeal to both the visual and
tactation senses. Sharp edges shall be avoided. Various shapes and
surface textures have been investigated for diverse uses.
Involves tactile sensitivity and impacts on grip strength. Shape
strengthens symbolic associations between control and function.
vi. Labeling
Proper labeling is a secure means to identify controls, this works only if
the labels are in fact read and understood by the operator. The label must
be placed so that it can be read easily, is well illuminated, and is not
covered.
Minimum coding requirement of any control, but labels take time to read
and if there are many controls discrimination is slow. Trans-illuminated
(“back-lighted”) labels possibly incorporated into the control, are often
advantageous.
vii. Mode of operation
Each control is activated by a unique movement.
One can distinguish controls by different manners of operation, such as
push, turn and slide. If the operator is not familiar with the control, a
false manner of operation may be tried first, which is likely to increase
operation time.
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Eventually, the research will determine the usability aspects that much
contribute towards the effectiveness of using control panels. According to Carol
M. B. (2001), usability components are as following:
Learnability
Efficiency
Memorability
Low errors
Satisfaction
The use of panels in controlling, require human to interact with the control
system itself. In terms of study the interaction between human and the system, this
study will including the usability testing, in order to examine the level of
effectiveness as well as to check whether the system is usable or not.
1.2 Research background
1.2.1 Introduction
This chapter will broadly introduce about the background of the research.
Since the research is about control and display panel in broadcasting control room,
this chapter will discuss more about the terms of controls and displays, and also
mention about its’ designs. Apart from it, this chapter will explain about the use of
control room in broadcasting area.
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1.2.2 Controls
Controls called “activators” in ISO standard transmit inputs to a piece of
equipment. They are usually operated by hand or foot. The results of the control
inputs are shown to the operator either in terms of ‘displays’ or ‘indicators’ or by
the ensuing actions of the machine.
1.2.3 Control designs
Control designs can increase speed and accuracy of performance.
Identification of controls is a coding problem that depends on various factors.
According to Jacob Nielsen (1997), there are five important design principles of
control:
i. Coding of controls
Coding of controls refers to the way of coding the controls in order to
differentiate controls. To be able to find or distinguish controls easily, they can be
coded by location, color, size, shape, labeling, texture and mode of operation.
ii. Control movement stereotypes
Control movement stereotypes are a movement of a control device that
follows and controls the movement of a display, and also produces a specific
system response.
iii. Control-display relationship
Refers to the degree to which relationships of control-display are consistent
with human expectations.
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iv. Control-response compatibility
In continuous control tasks, a specified movement of the control will result
in a system response. The system response may be represented on a display or it
may not.
v. Control-display compatibility
The degree to which relationships between controls and displays are
consistent with user expectations For example, a person may have expectations
concerning the movement of a control and its expected effect on a display based
on a previously formed stereotype of that movement.
1.2.4 Control selection
In the book of Ergonomic: How to Design for Ease and Efficiency
(Kroemer, K.H. E, 1994), Sanders and McCormick (1987) stated that controls
shall be selected for their functional usefulness. There are five ‘natural rules’ for
selection of controls:
1. Compatibility of control-machine movement
2. Control actuation force or torque
3. Control-effects relationship
4. Continuous versus detent controls
5. Standard practices
1.2.5 Arrangement and grouping of controls
According to K.H.E, Kroemer (1994), there are several “operational rules”
govern the arrangement and grouping of controls:
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1. Locate for the ease of operation.
2. Primary controls first.
3. Group related controls together.
4. Arrange for sequential operation.
5. Be consistent.
6. Guard against accidental activation.
7. Pack tightly but do not crowd.
1.2.6 Types of control
Controls can be distinguished by their control actions:
1. Activate or shut down equipment.
For example: ON-OFF key lock.
2. Discrete control.
Controls use to make a discrete setting. For example: making a separate or
distinct adjustment like selecting a television channel.
3. Continuous controls.
Continuous controls refer to the controls that are use to operate the
continuous setting. For example: controlling an automobile steering.
4. “Enter data” controls.
For example: computer keyboard.
1.2.7 Classes of control
1.2.7.1 Discrete controls
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Key lock
Also called key-operated switches are use to prevent unauthorized machine
operation. Key locks usually set into ON and OFF positions; they are always
distinct.
Bar knob
Detent bar knobs that also called rotary selectors are used for discrete
functions when two or more detected positions are required. Knobs shall be bar-
shaped with parallel sides, and the index end shall be tapered to a point.
Detent thumbwheel
Detent or discrete thumbwheel used for the function that requires a compact
input device for discrete steps.
Pushbutton
Pushbuttons used for single switching between two conditions, for entry of a
discrete control order, or for release of a locking system. Pushbuttons also can be
used for momentary contact or sustained contact. Figure 2 below is the example of
pushbutton:
Figure 2: Pushbutton
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Push-pull switch
Push-pull controls usually used for discrete settings, commonly ON and
OFF; intermediate positions have been occasionally employed. Push-pull controls
generally have a round flange under which to ‘hook’ the fingers. Example is as in
Figure 3 follows:
Figure 3: Push-pull switches.
Toggle switch
Detent toggle switches used if two discrete positions are required. The
example of toggle switch is showed in following Figure 4:
Figure 4: Toggle switches.
Legend switch
Detent legend switches are particularly suited to display qualitative
information on equipment status that requires the operator’s attention and action.
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Rocker switch
Rocker switches also used for two discrete positions. Rocker switches
protrude less from the panel than do toggle switches. Figure 5 is the examples of
rocker switches designs.
Figure 5: Rocker switches
Alphanumeric keyboards
Alphanumeric keyboards are usually used for entering data to the computers.
1.2.7.2 Continuous controls
Knob
Continuous knobs (also called round knobs or rotary controls) are used
when little force is required and when precise adjustments of a continuous
variable are required. If positions must be distinguished, an index line on the knob
should point to markers on the panel.
Crank
Cranks used primarily if the controls must be rotated many times. For tasks
involving large slewing movements or small, fine adjustments, a crank handle
may be mounted on a knob or hand wheel. The examples of crank controls are
shown in Figure 6:
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Figure 6: Cranks
Slide switch
Slide switches are used to make continuous settings, for example in music
mix-and-control stations. For example, as shown in following Figure 7:
Figure 7: Slide switch
Hand wheel
Hand wheels that are designed for nominal two-handed operation should be
used when the breakout or rotation forces are too large to be overcome with a one-
hand control.
Lever
Continuous levers are used when large force or displacement is required at
the control and/or when multidimensional movements are required. There are two
types of levers: force joystick, and displacement joystick, as shown in Figure 8:
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Figure 8: Lever switches
Continuous thumbwheel
Continuous thumbwheels are used as an alternative to round knobs if a
compact thumbwheel is beneficial. The example of the design is in Figure 9:
Figure 9: Continuous thumbwheel
1.2.7 Types of display
In a control-display, displays provide the operator with necessary
information about the status of the equipment. Displays are whether visual (for
example: lights, scales, or flat panels) or auditory (for example: bells, horns, or
recorded voice). Selecting either an auditory or visual display depends on
conditions and purpose. The objective maybe to provide:
Status information—the current state of the system, such as from where
the signal received in the television main control room.
Historical—information about the past state of the system.
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Predictive—such as the future range of sound wave, given certain rotary
sound settings.
Instructional—telling the operator what to do, and how to do something.
Commanding—giving directions or orders for a required actions.
1.2.7.1 Auditory displays
An auditory display is appropriate if the environment must be kept dark; the
operator moves around; the message is short, is simple, and requires immediate
attention, deals with events in time.
1.2.7.2 Visual displays
According to K.H.E. Kroemer (1994), there are three basic types of visual
displays:
‘Check’ displays
Check display indicates whether or not a given condition exists. For
example: a green light to indicate normal functioning.
‘Qualitative’ displays
The qualitative display indicates the status of a changing variable or the
approximate value, or its trend of change. For example: a pointer within a normal
range.
‘Quantitative’ displays
Quantitative display shows the exact information that must be ascertained or
indicates an exact numerical value that must be read. For example: a clock.
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1.2.8 Functions of display
Displays provide the Displays convey various types of information such as:
Status
Warnings
Representations
Identification
Symbolic
Time-phased
Safety designs
1.2.9 Usability testing
In order to test the usability, there are several types of usability testing that
can be applied, to study the effectiveness of using a product:
For quick answers to terminology questions, simple tests like the
matching test, card-sorting test and paper-and-pencil test are fine.
For new interface designs, low fidelity prototyping can help to identify
the right conceptual model.
For projects that betting to entire business, use heuristic evaluations,
cognitive walkthrough and full-blown usability tests.
According to Carrol M.B (2001), usability testing generally has the
following characteristics (Dumas and Redish 22):
i. The primary goal is to improve the usability of a product. For each test,
there must be a specific goals and concerns that you articulate when
planning the test.
ii. The participants represent real users.
iii. The participants do real tasks.