This individual report is designed to assess your understanding of Human Factors (HF) inaviation, your ability to critically analyse HF contributions to accidents, and your capacity topropose safety-enhancing policies. The report is divided into two parts, aligning with thecourse learning outcomes.
- Word Limit: 15002000 words (maximum 20 pages including references).
- Referencing: Harvard style is mandatory.
- 2. Learning Outcomes Assessed
- LO2: Identify the characteristics of human factors in the aviation industry.
- LO3: Evaluate the human factors contributing to incidents/accidents.
- LO5: Design policies that reduce the effects of human factors on active failures.
3. Questions guidelines :
From the two research articles provided (available in the assignment materials on Moodle),select ONE. Critically analyse its content by responding to the seven questions below. Yourresponses should reflect a comprehensive understanding of the article by integrating itsfindings with relevant theoretical frameworks from the course, as well as with practicalaviation scenarios and case studies explored during our five-day intensive program. Article Selection:
Article A: Salas, E., Wilson, K. A., Burke, C. S., & Wightman, D. C. (2006). Does crew resourcemanagement training work? An update, an extension, and some critical needs. Humanfactors, 48(2), 392-412.
Article B: Wiegmann, D. A., & Shappell, S. A. (2001). Human error analysis of commercialaviation accidents: Application of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System(HFACS). Aviation, space, and environmental medicine, 72(11), 1006-1016.
Part 1: Critical Analysis of Research Articles
Questions :
1. Foundations and Frameworks: Summarize your chosen article’s main argument andkey findings. Then, identify and explain two specific human factors models ortheories from the five-day course (e.g., Reason’s Swiss Cheese Model, SHELL Model,CRM Pyramid) that are directly relevant to or supported by the article’s conclusions.Provide a detailed rationale for your choices.
- Error Analysis and Classification: Using concepts from Day 2 (Accident
Theory) and Day 3 (Human Error), analyze how the article approaches theunderstanding or classification of human error. For Article A, discuss how CRMtraining addresses different error types (skill-based, decision-based, etc.). For ArticleB, explain how HFACS categorizes errors and unsafe acts, linking these to coursedefinitions and classifications. - Training and Mitigation Strategies: Evaluate the article’s perspective on mitigatinghuman error. For Article A, critique its assessment of CRM training effectiveness. ForArticle B, discuss the implications of the HFACS analysis for designing preventivemeasures. In your answer, reference specific CRM goals and evolution (Day 4) andconnect to the principle of “humans as a solution” from the course material.
- Case Study Application (Accident Analysis): Apply the article’s core framework
to one of the major case studies from the course (e.g., Helios 522, Colgan Air 3407,British Airways 5390). Demonstrate in detail how the article’s methodology orfindings help explain the human factors contributions to that specific accident.Identify which elements of the accident chain the article’s lens illuminates mosteffectively. - Case Study Application (Security Interface): Discuss the applicability of the article’sfocus (either CRM training or error classification systems) to aviation securitycontexts, as introduced on Day 4. Using the provided case study on cyber attackstargeting airport systems, analyze how human factors principles in your chosenarticle could be used to understand or reduce security-related errors or failures.
- Systemic and Organizational Factors: Both safety and security depend on robustsystems. Drawing on Day 5 (Application of Human Factors) content about SafetyManagement Systems (SMS), State Safety Programs (SSP), and organizationalresponsibilities, analyze how the insights from your chosen article should inform andbe integrated into these wider systemic safety/security frameworks. Provide apractical example.
- Critical Evaluation and Future Directions: Identify what you perceive to be the singlemost significant contribution of the article to the field of aviation human factors.Then, propose one specific, actionable recommendation for how the aviationindustry (e.g., regulators like GCAA, airlines, training organizations) should update current practices based on this article’s findings. Justify your recommendation bylinking it to contemporary challenges discussed in the course.
Formatting for Part 1:
- Maximum 12 pages (A4, 12pt font, 1.5 line spacing).
- Include a title page with your details, chosen article, and word count.
- Number all pages.
- Use clear headings (e.g., “Question 1: Foundations and Frameworks”).
- Integrate in-text citations in Harvard style for both the chosen article and relevant courseconcepts/case studies.
- A separate reference list for Part 1 is required at the end of this section.Part 2: Case Study Analysis and Policy Proposal Select one aviation accident where human factors significantly contributed to the
- outcome. Note: Originality in case selection is rewarded. Avoid overused cases unless you canprovide genuinely novel analysis.Questions:
- Briefly describe the selected accident’s circumstances, clearly establishing why it is arelevant and significant case for human factors analysis. Justify your choice in terms of itslearning value for the aviation industry.
- SHELL Model Analysis
Apply the SHELL Model comprehensively to your chosen accident. Analyze the interfacesand mismatches between- Liveware (Human) and each component: Hardware, Software, Environment, andother Liveware.
- Identify the most critical mismatch that contributed to the accident chain. Supportyour analysis with specific evidence from the accident details.
- Summarize the key human factors findings from the official accident investigation.
- Evaluate one major change implemented by the industry in response to thisaccident (e.g., in training, technology, procedures, or regulation).
- Critically assess the effectiveness and limitations of this change in preventing similarfuture errors. Has it addressed the root causes or merely the symptoms?
- Preventive Policy Design
Based on your analysis, propose one specific, actionable policy or procedural change aimedat reducing the effects of human factors. Your proposal should:- Clearly target a latent condition or active failure identified in your SHELL analysis.
- Specify the responsible stakeholders (e.g., regulator, airline, manufacturer).
- Outline the intended implementation mechanism (e.g., updated CRM trainingmodule, revised checklist design, new monitoring requirement).
- d. Explain concisely how it would enhance system resilience.Formatting for Part 2:
- Maximum 8 pages (A4, 12pt font, 1.5 line spacing).
- Use the clear headings provided above (A, B, C and numbered questions).
- Integrate in-text citations in Harvard style for accident reports, course materials, andsupporting literature.
- Include a separate reference list for Part 2 at the end of this section.
Requirements:
Get this or a similar paper done in as fast as 4 hours, 24/7.
NB: We do not sell prewritten papers. All essays are written from scratch according to specific needs and instructions
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.