3. EXPERIMENT
The experimental design is a quasi-experimental single-variable design.
The independent variable is the display type, either panel-mounted or
helmet-mounted, and the controls for validity are limited to those
normally associated with a stratified sampling technique.
- Each subject was given instruction of the proper operation of the
apparatus.
- Each subject was given information on the performance objectives.
- Each subject completed a Demographics survey.
- Each subject was given an accommodation period of equal length
appropriate to the display technique for the group in which they were
placed.
- Each subject's performance was videotaped for scoring purposes.
- Each subject's performance was scored using the defined criteria.
- A statistical analysis was conducted against each of the two
criteria, using an Analysis of Variance.
The apparatus used in the study was a portion of the BAT (Beam
Assembly Teleoperator) device located at the Space Systems Laboratory
of the University of Maryland. Click here
to see a photo of the apparatus.
The operator's station consisted of a vehicle-type seat with panel in
front of the subject similar to that of a car dashboard
(click here to see image) Mounted on this
panel was a joystick, in an anthropometric location similar to that of
resting the arm at an angle so that the elbow bend was approximately
90 degrees (and aligned with the torso longitudinal axis) , and the
wrist is shoulder height while seated.
