Ergonomics
Issues with subjective questionnaires?
Subjective questionnaires in the collection of information are said to lack external validity. This is because they tend to limit the respondent’s feedback to the confinement of the specific details that whoever constructed the questionnaires wants. This type of questionnaires may not give accurate findings if not carefully constructed because they might enquire information which the respondent is not willing to answer due to personal and private reasons and this might yield false feedback or reluctance to respond. They subject the respondent to what they ought to answer and limit the information gathering scope (Bulmer, De Vaus, & Fielding, 2004).
Advantages and disadvantages of using checklists during an assessment
Advantages of using checklists.
First checklists are essential in saving time and brainpower for the one collecting the information; this is because you don’t have to spend a lot of time trying to remember details of the information you need to gather at the workstation. Secondly, they are important in the organization of the data in your assessment, with a checklist in place you can organize the aspects to be assessed from the most important to the least important in chronological order. This is important in ensuring no information is left out. A checklist is also important in the delegation of the assessment tasks in place without being repetitive; this ensures that all the important information is collected within the specified time. Finally, the checklist is important because one is able to carry out a thorough analysis of the assessment findings and make comprehensive recommendations based on the accuracy of the data obtained using the checklist. This ensures that the recommendations cover all the areas of assessment.
Checklist disadvantages in assessment.
If the checklist is poorly formulated for instance it has too many details of what is to be assessed; then it might not be completed depending on the time scale. This might lead to frustration of the one carrying out the assessment. Secondly, some of the information to be assessed using the checklist might not be available from the workplace, and it might lead to the assessor asking questions from his or her thoughts.
Improvement of the workstation.
The chair adjustments made included addition of a comfortable cushion which was lacking. The chair was also fitted with armrests which allowed the elbow positioning at 90 degrees’ angle. The height also was adjusted to a position where the thighs were parallel to the floor. The position of the arms was positioned to the height of the desk containing the arms. I then adjusted the backrest height of the chair in such a way that it could move up and down and the angle of the backrest fitted with lumbar support.
The desk was too low, and no adjustment could be made, but I suggested that the management of the workplace should purchase a desk which would allow closeness of the mouse and the keyboard and offer an allowance for the centering of the alphanumeric part of the keyboard on the desk to avoid shoulder stress (Wagner, Yannou, Kehl, Feillet, & Eggers, 2003). The monitor positioning did not require adjustments however some of the items such as the items were located too from the worker. The telephone was located too far from the worker and the adjustments made is that these items were brought closer to the worker from where she could access them without much strain.
Finally, I advised the worker to take breaks from time to time. I also enabled the Workrave app on the computer which automatically remind the worker when it is time to take a rest.
Thoughts on ergonomic adjustments of a computer workstation.
The ergonomic strategies in the adjustment of a computer workstation are very important by avoiding the potential havoc which may be paused the computer user body through the repetitive strain injuries and posture injuries from improperly set desks, which might cause injuries or disabilities (Salvendy, 2012). The exercise is a good preventive and proactive measure to avoid these potential hazards and guarantees a friendly working environment. These adjustments will also ensure no financial expenses for medical bills as a result of a worker using a poorly adjusted computer.
References.
Bulmer, M., De Vaus, D., & Fielding, N. (2004). Questionnaires. London: Sage Publications.
Salvendy, G. (2012). Handbook of human factors and ergonomics. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Wagner, M., Yannou, B., Kehl, S., Feillet, D., & Eggers, J. (2003). Ergonomic modeling and optimization of the keyboard arrangement with an ant colony algorithm. Journal Of Engineering Design, 14(2), 187-208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0954482031000091509.
