ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the perceived barriers to the use of research for human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) professionals, examines the implications of the researchpractice gap for HF/E as a profession and discipline, and suggests ways to strengthen the value of HF/E research for practice. Barriers for practitioners to actively apply research evidence in their everyday work relate to access and time for research, relevance of research, and organizational pressures. Barriers for researchers to conduct and apply research relate to access to operational settings that allow research to be implemented, lack of appreciation of the usefulness of research, and translation of research ndings into practice. However, the development of the discipline needs research and practice to be integrated. Suggestions from practitioners to overcome these barriers include: forming partnerships; networking; reading, applying, and publishing more research; and promoting the need for HF/E research in organizations. The effectiveness of any efforts to improve the application of research into practice will depend on the motivation of both researchers and practitioners.
