Educators in Human Factors face an important question: how to attract, educate and prepare undergraduate students for a future in Human Factors. Previous work in Experimental Psychology suggests that students learn more from participating in laboratory studies than they do from lectures in a classroom setting (Elliott, Rice, Trafimow, Madson, and Hipshur, 2010). Information exists on how to configure a usability lab for a commercial practice, but little information exists on how to organize an academic usability lab for undergraduates. This study describes the organization of one such academic lab which focuses on in vivo development projects. The report describes the configuration, practical advice, and lessons learned to date.In 1971, Jack Adams delivered the presidential address to Division 21 of the American Psychological Association: "the vigor of engineering psychology as an applied discipline in engineering and psychology is dependent upon the robustness of the scientific knowledge that it applies to the design of man-machine systems. Most of our members are productively engaged in government and in industry and these are often non research situations. When research opportunities occur, the call is for short term engineering research, like the comparing of A and B or the measure of performance in a test situation" (p. 4 and 5). Thus, we are facing a shortage of those who produce new knowledge.Educators in Human Factors face an important question: how to attract, educate and prepare students for Human Factors research. Research in traditional Psychology labs transfers the methodological rigor but often lacks practical application. Research in other departments may address practical application but often lacks the methodological rigor. Students from less rigorous labs may find it difficult to gain entry into top notch Human Factors graduate programs.This report outlines the methodological approach of one Human Factors educator in an effort to address this issue. The report includes a detailed description of the methods, the configuration of a lab and lessons learned.
The Importance of Research ExperiencePrevious work in Experimental Psychology suggests that students learn more from participating in laboratory studies than they do from lectures in a classroom setting (Elliott, Rice, Trafimow, Madson, and Hipshur, 2010). The undergraduate education process alone is often insufficient to impart a complete understanding of research methods in Psychology and the scientific process as a whole. A lack of research experience can limit students' ability to produce methodologically sound experimental designs, contribute to publications, and gain entry into graduate school. The missing components in a student's education often does not become evident until the Fall semester of their senior year when students familiarize themselves with the graduate school application process. At that time, many students realize that they are unable to fulfill the research requirements for a graduate program.Unless Human Factors coursew...