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Field interviewers are the backbone of data collection of the market research industry and have a critical role in maintaining good quality research output. To attain good quality output, previous studies suggest that intensive training needs to be complemented by an intrinsic rather than an extrinsic approach. Thus, the main objective of the study is to assess field interviewers’ psychosocial working conditions and determine how perceived task load relates to questionnaire error rates. Overall, the two-phase assessment of field interviewers jointly suggests points for improvement rather than urgent concerns. Results of the assessment done using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) with n = 72 respondents recommend adopting flexible leadership styles and autonomy levels for field management. Significant correlations between the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) raw scores and output quality (as dictated by error rates) also confirm that higher temporal demand, mental demand, and perceived performance are significantly moderately associated to lower output quality; higher frustration level is significantly moderately related to higher output quality. Results of the study particularly recommends adopting flexible leadership and autonomy level towards field interviewers and setting fieldwork timelines that fully consider the capacity of field interviewers.

The Nintendo Switch is a popular hybrid portable gaming console that employs a novel modular design, enabling it to be played in multiple controller configurations: Handheld mode, left and right JoyCon Sticks, and the JoyCon Grip. However, issues with physical discomfort have been noted among its user base, especially after extended periods of use. This could be the cause for user injury after prolonged use and poor gaming experience. To assess the design of the different configurations, the dimensions of the Switch console, its trigger and non-trigger buttons, and relative distances between parts were measured and compared to anthropometric guidelines provided by different literatures. A total of 16 Filipino participants, classified as either novice or expert users based on familiarity with the Switch or other gaming consoles and their functionalities, were asked to perform a predetermined set of tasks, including playing a game on the platform across different controller orientations. User perceptions on comfortability and satisfaction after using the platform were measured through a 5-point Likert comfortability scale (5 being most comfortable) survey and post-task surveys, respectively, and were analyzed in conjunction with user remarks while performing working on tasks. Results show that while some dimensions of the Switch does not conform to anthropometric guidelines from literature, user ratings for comfortability were high for both sets of users for the Handheld (4.13 for experts and 4.06 for novices) and JoyCon Grip (4.69 for experts and 4.81 for novices) configurations, and relatively low for JoyCon Stick modes (2.78 for experts and 3.38 for novices). Additionally, post-task survey results mirrored in-task remarks of discomfort and navigation issues while using the JoyCon stick configurations, with it receiving 72% of negative complaints during and after use. Recommendations to physical dimensions were made based on existing literature, with the aim of decreasing the risk of user injury with prolonged usage and improving overall user satisfaction, which could be the basis of future studies on redesigning the Switch and the effects of its controller configurations on gaming experience satisfaction.

Commuting in Metro Manila, Philippines, is always a challenge. In 2013, a public transportation navigation application, Sakay.ph, which provides commuters with different routes to their destinations was launched. To ensure a user-centered design application and identify issues in the current design, a usability analysis was conducted. Ten participants were asked to perform task scenarios and answer Single Ease Questionnaire and System Usability Scale Questionnaire. Metrics of the study include: (1) number of clicks per task, (2) completion rate of tasks, and (3) SEQ and SUS score. Eight out of the nineteen task scenarios have actual number of clicks more than twice the minimum number clicks to accomplish the task. Only 42% of the task scenarios were completed by all the participants and SUS score was calculated at 67.75. Recommendations were provided to resolve the issues encountered by the participants during the test aiming to improve the usability of the navigation application.

The Nintendo Switch is a popular hybrid portable gaming console that employs a novel modular design, enabling it to be played in multiple controller configurations: Handheld mode, left and right JoyCon Sticks, and the JoyCon Grip. However, there are notes of user complaints about the complexity of performing basic tasks as a result of the unintuitiveness of its user interface. This can result to poor gaming experience and may potentially affect customer buying decisions. To assess the affordance of the user interface design of the Nintendo Switch, a total of 16 Filipino participants, classified as either novice or expert users, based on familiarity with the Switch or other gaming consoles and their functionalities, were made to perform a predetermined set of tasks on navigating through the Nintendo Switch’s basic menus, and playing a racing game across different controller orientations. Affordance, overall usability, and gaming experience satisfaction were measured through 5-point Likert scales (5 being the highest) for affordance surveys, system usability scale (SUS) surveys, and in-task and post-task surveys, respectively. Separate sets of surveys were done for general navigation and gaming tasks. Additionally, quantitative measures of effectiveness (task completion success rates) and efficiency (time to successfully complete tasks) were taken for general navigation tasks, and compared between novice and expert users. Task efficiency rates were also compared to baseline values obtained from experienced Nintendo Switch users. Results show a significant difference between expert and novice users’ effectiveness rates, with expert users all successfully performing 73% of navigation tasks, compared to novice rates of 18%. Efficiency rates for both expert and novice participant groups consistently fell significantly behind baseline task completion times. Affordance survey results showed consistent ratings across different controller configurations for expert users, and high preference for JoyCon Grip and Handheld mode configurations for novice participants. Of all SUS scores, only Game Navigation for expert users scored above the 68-point threshold. Recommendations to improve the Nintendo Switch user interface affordance and overall user satisfaction were made.

Over the last few years, establishments in the Philippines have slowly moved towards full utilization of automated car parking ticket machines that have been employed all over the world. However, because this is new to the Philippine setting, there have been issues and complaints from users in operating the current machines, resulting to establishments reverting to hiring personnel to manually manage parking fee payments. A physical and cognitive usability study was conducted on a parking ticket machine in a shopping mall in the National Capital Region through observing users as they performed the process of paying through the machine. Task completion rates and errors were recorded for 100 users of the machine, who also answered a System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. Three key metrics were measured: (1) the average time spent by new and experienced users, (2) the relative efficiency of manual and automated payment modes, and (3) overall user satisfaction. Results of the study showed a significant difference between average completion times of new and experienced users. SUS survey results showed that users found the machine to be fairly easy to learn, and that transactions through the machine can be faster than that of a cashier. However, a wide range in task completion times was observed for the automated process. This can be attributed to several errors and issues encountered during the payment process of some customers, primarily with the cash inlet rejecting certain bills and new users having difficulty identifying the appropriate slots of the machine. It was also observed that users encountered problems due to a mismatch between machine dimensions and their anthropometric measurements, particularly height. The study proved that poor parking ticket machine utilization was due to problems in human-machine interaction as well as mismatches between physical dimensions and user population anthropometry. Recommendations were provided in order to improve machine dimensions, layout and overall usability.

According to Philippine statistics report in 2013, majority of the Philippines’ solid wastes come from residential areas. Solid waste collection workers are regularly exposed to risks of occupational injuries and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). With the aim of assessing the occupational risks of municipal solid waste collectors, this study was conducted in a city subdivision in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. Workers were asked to answer the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and an occupational risk survey. Images of worker postures taken during their work were analyzed using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment. Risk factors for possible occupational injuries were determined. Results showed that gathering trash, giving trash to segregators, and garbage segregating exposed the workers to poor postures with high to very high risk. Open wounds were most likely to occur. Recommendations for both subdivisions and contractors were provided in order to mitigate the risks identified.

With the advancement of technology today, various industries have benefitted from innovation of systems that have been and are being developed, with the healthcare sector being one of them. Usability evaluation of medical devices is essential to ensure its effectiveness and to increase acceptability of the technology. In the Philippines, there has been a project on development of a locally-produced medical device. Similar to any other health care applications, there is a need to ensure that this is usable for Filipino health workers. A usability evaluation was conducted on the prototype of this telemedicine device, focusing on maternal monitoring, with user testing and interviews. Another similar device (commercially-acquired) was evaluated and compared to the existing design. Results of the evaluation indicate that there were usability problems in terms of the hardware and interface for both the locally-produced and commercially-acquired device designs. The former has a lot to improve in terms of its interface. Both still needs further improvement to make it easier for users to use the device. Usability evaluation has been very useful in identifying the areas for improvement in the design of the medical device and is seen as an essential part of its development.

Station indicators help passengers navigate their way to their desired station. Consistent, concise, and correct information provided by the station indicators is vital for passengers to be able to navigate their way. However, no evaluation has been done on the three identified visual and auditory station indicators used in a rapid transit system in the Philippines, namely the route maps found inside the trains, the station name signs found on station platforms, and the announcement of the station names by the driver. A survey of 323 passengers of the rapid transit was conducted, showing that 24.15% of which had experienced alighting at wrong stations, leading to lost time and money, and unnecessary stress. To evaluate the effectiveness of the station indicators, a simulation for new passengers was conducted. Nine participants who have never ridden the rapid transit, and were unfamiliar with the landmarks found along the route were asked to ride and alight on a specific station of the rapid transit. A modified system usability scale was used as a post-test questionnaire to measure the usability of the station indicators. Among the three, only the station name sign was found to be an effective station indicator.

Nearly all airport passengers’ journeys rely on the public address (PA) system through which information is given to provide real-time announcements accessible to all. This information is important and time-sensitive, but easy to miss or misunderstand. In an effort to improve the effectiveness of passenger information dissemination in an International Airport in the Philippines, a study on the airport’s PA announcements was conducted. Specific areas of the airport where PA announcements are vital were identified. A survey of passenger perception of audibility and intelligibility of announcements was conducted. In addition, signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) for different locations was measured and compared to recommended levels. Out of the 405 survey respondents, 42% were able to hear and correctly recall important parts of the most recent announcement, 25% were able to hear that an announcement was aired, but were unable to correctly recall what was announced, and 33% responded that they were not aware that any announcements were aired within the past ten minutes prior to their receiving of the questionnaire. An average SNR of 8.58 dBA as opposed to the recommended minimum of 10 dBA was found. Recommendations include the utilization of Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS) screens along with audible announcement modifications.

School transport service (STS) conductors, more commonly known as school bus conductors, ensure the safety and welfare of students during their travel to school, and back to their respective homes. Their tasks involve manual labor, exposing them to risks of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Hence, it is imperative to assess and improve their working conditions. A total of 24 subjects from three different schools in Metro Manila, Philippines, with at least one year of work experience, were interviewed and observed. A modified Nordic Questionnaire was used to identify the work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSSs) the conductors have experienced over the past 12 months. Postures were documented, and the corresponding risk factors were assessed using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). The results of the study showed that 91.67% of school transport service conductors have perceived WMSSs, and that majority of their work postures were categorized as having high risk levels.

With present laws requiring all newborns in the Philippines to be screened for hearing loss, an affordable biomedical device is being developed locally to increase the rates of newborn hearing screening that will lead to possible early treatment. The main objective of this study was to determine whether the hearing screening device prototype was usable for a Filipino screener. The study was executed through user testing of the prototype and a commercially acquired hearing screening device, followed by post-test interviews of the participants. The effectiveness and satisfaction of the users between the two devices were compared. Findings of the study suggested that several modifications must be made on the current design of the prototype to improve its the usability.

The Philippines employs more than 2 million construction workers .[1] Due to the nature of this industry, the workers are constantly exposed to dangerous environments and are at high risks for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs comprise of 30% of all recorded occupational injuries of construction workers in the country .[2] Two methods were used to assess the risks associated to construction tasks: subjective assessment through survey and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) & Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). A survey based on the Standardized Nordic Questionnaires for the Analysis of Musculoskeletal Symptoms was conducted to assess the different types of pain as perceived by Filipino construction workers when doing their jobs. A numerical rating scale was used in the survey. The results show that all tasks performed cause mild to tolerable intensities of pain. The tasks that are most difficult and most frequently done by the workers were evaluated using the RULA and REBA. The results show that all of the tasks considered in the analysis, such as chipping, demolishing, and welding, pose a risk to the well being of the worker. The RULA and REBA scores range from 4 to 7 and from 5 to 11, respectively, which indicate that change in the tasks must be implemented. Using statistical analysis, the results from the survey and the RULA were found to have only a 0.10 correlation, while the results from the survey and the REBA were found to have a 0.46 correlation. These correlation values show an inconsistency between the results of the subjective and the objective assessment methods. These suggest that although the pain may still be tolerable to the subjects, the tasks may pose high risks for MSDs from an ergonomic point of view. The results from subjective assessment methods do not reflect the actual risks indicated by the results of the quantitative RULA and REBA, which suggest that it is not sufficient to rely on subjective assessment methods alone. From the results of RULA and REBA analyses, it is therefore necessary for the tasks to be further assessed and redesigned to improve the methods and techniques used to safely carry them out.

Pedicab is a composite of bicycle and side car. Pedicab has a high potential of being used as a sustainable transportation to improve air quality and congestion management in the city. Hence, improving the conditions of pedicab is vital. While there had been ergonomic improvements on the passenger sidecar, there had been none for the driver. Pedicab drivers usually come from below poverty-line families. The physical, physiological and psychological exertions of pedicab drivers pose as occupational hazards that develop certain risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Hence, the focus of the study was to assess occupational hazards causing work-related musculoskeletal disorder for pedicab drivers. The study was based on the results of a survey based on the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Thirty-five side car drivers were interviewed. All respondents were male around 40 years old; all work every day for 11.5 hours a day for around 9 years. Majority of the respondents (62.9%) claimed that given the opportunity, they would work other jobs. While the working area of the side car drivers were established as flood-prone, uneven, and uphill; around 54.3% of the respondents stated that their working condition was tolerable but the rest admitted they hated it. It was found out that 45.7% of the respondents were already experiencing back pain. There had been several occurrences of head ache (8.57%), neck pain (14.3%), leg cramps (8.57%), elbow/forearm (2.86%), thigh (2.86%) and legs numbness (2.86%). The data indicated that the posture poses a very high risk and change must be implemented immediately.

Nowadays, mobile phones have become an essential tool for people's everyday lives. In designing smartphones, various factors are to be considered. People usually prefer smartphones which are user friendly and is a good tradeoff between price and functionality. One of the traits that Filipinos have in this generation is their patronage to foreign designed and manufactured gadgets and smartphones. Since those devices are designed abroad, it is possible that they are only manufactured for the optimal usability of the users of the country where they are manufactured from. Hence, there is a possibility that the physical design and dimensions do not conform to the Filipino users due to the differences in the anthropometric measurements between races, specifically in the measurement of the hands and fingers resulting to awkward positioning of the hands or being unable to grip the smartphone properly when using the smartphones. In this study, the proponents conducted a comparative analysis of ergonomic anthropometry and usability of locally designed and foreign designed smartphones. The researchers gathered the most commonly used locally designed and foreign designed smartphones that Filipino use and their corresponding dimensions and physical design. The results showed that the top 2 most frequently used foreign designed brands are Apple and Samsung and locally designed brands are Myphone and Cherry Mobile. For the uniqueness of model, the latest LG smartphone was also considered. The researchers gathered the dimensions and the distances from the bottom left corner left and the bottom right corner of the smartphone to the physical buttons such as the power, volume, home, multitask, back, silent buttons, and the status bar.

Sorbetes, also known as ‘dirty’ ice cream, is one of the goods that have been sold on the streets of Metro Manila. Known for its colorful and unique cart design, people usually buy sorbetes because of its distinct taste and affordable price. Sorbetes vendors may be subjected to a huge amount of stress, causing them to experience pain on several parts of their body, because of the improper posture when using the cart. However, there is a lack of research on sorbetes peddling that could give basis to ensure that the cart design is ergonomic. Thus, this study aims to conduct an ergonomic analysis of the sorbetes cart and come up with solutions that may lessen the discomfort that vendors have grown accustomed to. Using Nordic Questionnaire, 15 sorbetes vendors were asked to identify which among their body parts are perceiving discomfort. Rapid Entire Body Assessment was conducted to assess their posture for each activity, and identify their risk for Musculoskeletal Disorders. This yielded a REBA score of 5 for all vendors when pushing/pulling the cart, and a range of 6–10 for scooping sorbetes – which entails medium and high risk, respectively. Moreover, it was identified that body parts with high prevalence of pain were more driven by poor posture in scooping, rather than pushing. In conclusion, few of the aspects of the cart (i.e. cart weight, handle design, canister’s depth, handle distance) must be modified to reduce the vendors’ REBA score and the discomfort that they experience.

Ticket vending machine (TVM) and automated fare collection system–Point of sale (AFCS-POS) are two new technologies in the Philippines’ train ticketing system. After a year of implementation for the newly deployed ticketing system in Metro Rail Transit (MRT), research shows that there have been no usability evaluation on the new system to evaluate for potential issues and user interface problems. Based on observation and interviews, about 17.5% of train passengers are still having difficulty with using the ticket vending machine and is repulsive to use it for buying ticket thereby increasing the workload for AFCS-POS machine specialists. The study focuses on three aspects of the TVM and AFCS-POS usability measures, (1) effectiveness, (2) efficiency and (3) satisfaction, as defined by ISO 9241-11. Usability analysis showed that effectiveness of the two systems was above average. Efficiency of AFCS-POS is significantly higher than TVM. Some of the first time TVM users were having a difficulty completing the task given, mostly due to undistinguishable controls. Overall, users of TVM and AFCS-POS agreed that they are satisfied with the current system in general, however, it should be noted that most users have issues with information presentation quality. From the findings, recommendations were made to improve the overall usability of both systems and user satisfaction. Recommendations indicates that usability measures for both system scored low compared to other TVM systems.

There is currently no existing ergonomic assessment on hairdressers in the Philippines. This study aims to investigate the WMSD symptoms of hairdressers in Quezon City and the risk factors which are significantly associated to it. Twelve hairdressers were chosen for this study. They were interviewed using a modified Nordic Questionnaire to characterize their perceived body discomfort. Task they often do during work were selected and evaluated using a Rapid Entire Body Assessment. Results showed that 83% and 41.67% of the subjects perceived the body discomfort for 12-month and 7-day, respectively. Moreover, a correlation of 0.224 was found between the postural WMSD risk and their perceived pain. From calculating the spearman correlation, the risk factors that are significantly associated with the body discomfort are the duration of task, years of experience, and number of customers.

A number of learning management systems were launched in an attempt to provide an online educational platform for teachers and students. Considering the perspective of the students, the researchers want to evaluate the usability of Facebook, Google Mail, and University Virtual Learning Environment (UVLe, the official educational website of UP), the most used websites by College of Engineering professors and instructors in University of the Philippines. Each subject was asked to perform a set of six constant tasks which were presented as scenarios. Four usability metrics, specifically, effectiveness, efficiency, learnability, and satisfaction were used for the evaluation. Each metric was measured by one or more parameters. After each task, the subject was asked to answer the Single Ease Question, Perceived Click Affordance Test and System Usability Scale. According to the study, Gmail dominated both Facebook and UVLe in all of the four usability metrics used.

Traffic Noise is one of the primary occupational hazards experienced by the toll tellers. The sustained exposure to significantly high noise levels negatively affects the cardiovascular and auditory system. The study evaluates the toll booth location along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Philippines in need of mitigation measures to further reduce the workers’ exposure to noise and reduce the stress experienced because of sustained noise exposure. 31 out of 99 toll tellers at eleven booths were surveyed and subjected to audiometry test. Environmental sound levels were measured. 71.88 % of the tested workers experience poor hearing, the remaining 28.13 % exhibit mild hearing impairment. Most toll plazas located in cities, municipalities, or commercial centers exceeded 75 dB sound level. Locations of toll facilities falling within the standard noise level are found to have lesser employees displaying symptoms of mild or poor hearing compared to locations surpassing the standard.

Majority of the conducted studies about public elementary classrooms in the Philippines focuses on anthropometrics but research about the physical environmental factors that affect learning is lacking. With this, an ergonomic assessment of four public elementary schools in Quezon City, Philippines was conducted to determine if the facilities are able to meet the recommended thermal, acoustical, and lighting ergonomic standards for classrooms and assess if the facilities are conducive environments for learning. Acoustic, thermal, and lighting measurements were collected from four different locations inside each classroom. Simultaneously, a survey of students was conducted to determine their perception of the conditions of their classroom in terms of thermal, visual and acoustical comfort. The results were compared to the general ergonomic standards for classrooms and showed that the environmental conditions of the public elementary school classrooms considered are not conducive for learning based on the thermal, acoustical, and lighting standards.

Work productivity in the stamping station in Batik Merak Manis Laweyan is one of the key components to the business continuity. Using ergonomics checkpoints with results validated through a Focus Group Discussion, hand tools and machine safety was identified as the major area for production process improvement. This research aims to improve the production process by designing ergonomic work facilities. From observation, the hand tools and machine safety is primarily associated with the work table, the cooker table for the candle, and the batik stamp. In formulating the improved design, the rational method by Cross was used, specifically the four stages design process; clarifying objectives, establishing function (penetapan fungsi), setting requirements, and determining characteristics. Improved stamping station's work facilities such as the work table and batik stamp's handle cover were designed, incorporating the worker's need, ergonomic principles, and anthropometric measurement.

The fire extinguisher is the primary instrument used in fire accidents. The conspicuity of fire extinguishers are vital in emergency situations where there is a deterioration of perceptive and cognitive functions due to stress. Fire codes in the Philippines exist to ensure the accessibility of fire extinguishers which include display methods, height requirements, and visibility. The purpose of this study is to assess the detectability and conspicuity of fire extinguishers based on the current standards in the Philippines and improve fire extinguisher placement and its accompanying signs. Most commercial locations are low to moderate hazard areas. A response time experiment was used to determine the detection time of fire extinguishers in these locations under the current standards. Qualitative data was also collected to determine the perceived location. The results were used to improve the standards. The same tests were repeated to the proposed improvement in order to measure its effectiveness.

It is estimated that in about 30 countries, approximately 13 million people are directly engaged in small scale mining. Small scale mining activities centre on the production of gold in many countries, including the Philippines. These activities heavily rely on manual labour that include frequent or heavy lifting, pushing or pulling heavy objects, prolonged awkward postures, vibrations, and repetitive, forceful, or prolonged exertion of the hands. Thus, workers are exposed to risk factors associated with Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSD). This study aims to estimate the prevalence of Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in small scale gold mining and extraction in the Philippines through the occurrence of Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms (WMSS). A survey, using modified Nordic questionnaire, of 124 miners from different mining sites showed 95 % of the interviewees perceived WMSS in at least one part of their bodies, with highest prevalence in lower back (65 %), shoulders (60 %), and neck (54 %).

In the Philippines, there has been a growing population of businesses engaging in the industry of providing personal care services. From the statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics, in 2008 to 2010, there has been a 34.7% increase in the people employed in this sector .[1] These services include that of salons, with pedicure and manicure services consisting 23% and 19% respectively .[2] Manicurists and pedicurists suffer severe discomfort and pain due to the awkward posture and repetitive motions involved in their work. Manicurists and pedicurists are commonly seen hunching over, bowing and tilting their heads, and sitting in stools lower than their popliteal height. Because of this, the proponents of this study aim to design an ergonomically-fit chair suitable for manicurists and pedicurists. In line with this goal, the proponents conducted a survey in areas near the University of the Philippines Diliman to backup observations regarding the workers’ working posture and ailments occurring due to this. The need to change their working posture was analyzed through Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and necessary anthropometric measurements were obtained. From the survey conducted among the workers, the body parts which most often experienced pain were the neck, shoulders, and back. In addition, the legs, back, and hands were the areas perceived to experience the most severe pain while working. The legs and the back were also seen to be the areas where pain frequently occurs, as well as the chest part. Furthermore, the nature of their job entails that manicurists and pedicurists frequently tilt and bow their heads while working. These factors were taken into consideration for the design of the chair. Postures of the workers were evaluated by the proponents to support the claims of the participants. REBA of their working posture revealed that manicurists and pedicurists adopt high-risk postures that require immediate investigation to implement change. Using all the data gathered, the proponents designed a chair allowing workers to have a better posture. Regarding the improved ergonomic chair design for nail salon workers, it was suggested that further studies could include customer's anthropometric measurements to supplement the design of the chair and come up with a better set up beneficial for both the worker and the customer. In addition, attention should also be paid to the selection of the materials used in the chair.