Research Methods and Statistics (RMS): Ergonomics
General
- Graduate
- 40 learners; teams of 5
- 40 hours per learner
- Dates set by experience
- Learners self-assign
Preferred companies
- 8/8 project matches
- Anywhere
- Academic experience
- Any
- Any
Categories
Skills
Project timeline
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September 28, 2020Experience start
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October 7, 2020Project Scope Meeting
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December 20, 2020Final Presentations
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December 20, 2020Experience end
Timeline
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September 28, 2020Experience start
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October 7, 2020Project Scope Meeting
Students and companies will meet to discuss the project scope. Companies will be expected to provide support and resources (e.g. data, photos, tools, etc.) to the research project group as needed.
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December 20, 2020Final Presentations
Employers will be expected to attend virtual final presentations during the week of Dec. 14-18. The specific date, time, and "location" will be confirmed by the course instructor and company representative. Employers will be asked to provide feedback to students. Final paper to follow.
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December 20, 2020Experience end
Overview
- Details
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Fanshawe College’s Advanced Ergonomic Studies (AES) 2020/2021 cohort of graduate students (and professors) will be challenged to learn, work and study in incredibly unique and innovative ways. To keep them safe yet engaged, we are looking to provide them with meaningful “remote” research projects that will help build their ergonomics research and analytical skills.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, student projects will only occur virtually.
- Learner skills
- Ergonomic analysis, Office and industrial ergonomics, Research methods, Data analysis, Literature reviews
- Deliverables
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Deliverables will vary depending on the scope of the project.
Project deliverables normally include but are not limited to:
- Up to an hour presentation summarizing key findings
- 5-10 page journal-ready paper/report including a literature review, research methodology outline, analysis methods on the data collected, summary of results, discussion and conclusion.
Project Examples
Use a small group of our AES students to conduct an online survey-based ergonomics research project with your company. Our students will work remotely with your organization and under the guidance of a company mentor and Fanshawe faculty member Karen Hoodless (Professor of Research Methods and Statistics). This RMS course was designed to prepare students to conduct research and produce academic writing as it applies to the field of ergonomics. Therefore, the virtual research activities will be expected to align with the workplace expectations of an ergonomics consultant or company ergonomist developing an ergonomics study of your work environment.
Emphasis will be placed on the research and development/design of the survey (with the help and approval of the company representative and course instructor), a review of relevant industry literature, data collection, analyzing the responses, and presenting the data back to your organization in an effective and efficient manner (i.e. scientific paper and online presentation).
Examples of possible research projects that students would be able to complete may include, but are not limited to:
• Work demands and discomfort surveys/questionnaires (e.g. working from home, job-specific). Use the following link to view an example of a similar research project and presentation by Dr. Steve Fisher (U. of Waterloo) on Green Ergonomics: Understanding MSD Hazard Exposures Within the Wind Energy Sector:
- https://uwaterloo.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/uwaterloo/recording/playback/1dbd46f8588d4291a76ed2e0c5111ba1
- Password: Wind2020
• Comparing work demands before and after job modifications
• Conduct product comparisons (e.g. ergo assessment software, tools, keyboards, mice, sit/stand desks, etc.)
Additional company criteria
Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:
Be available to attend the student's final presentations virtually.
Provide support and resources to the student researchers as needed.
Providing a dedicated contact who will act as the student's primary supervisor over the duration of the virtual project. A secondary contact should be provided as a backup. Students will interact virtually with their primary contact on a weekly basis, or as needed.
Connecting with the Course Instructor to confirm the scope is an appropriate fit for the course.