ABSTRACT
Each approach provides a different context from which to gain knowledge of value to marine vehicle designers and operators, and is described in the following sections.
Experimental Research
General
Experimental research is carried out with human volunteers in laboratories and in the field to investigate specific aspects of human factors, including sleep, situational awareness, motion sickness, MII and MIF. Much can be learned from experimental research, as described in other sections of this book. Note that experimental research carried out in the laboratory results in conditions that only approximate those in the field, whether for severity (as with shock), duration (as with motion sickness) or complexity (as with ship motion in a seaway). On the other hand, the “real world” of field experimentation lacks the control found in the laboratory, because of inappropriate weather or operational or safety issues. Both types of experimental research are thus complementary and essential.
