Research Methods and Statistics (RMS) 2023: Ergonomics
Timeline
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September 18, 2023Experience start
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December 18, 2023Experience end
Categories
Data analysis Hardware product design Training & development Healthcare Scientific researchSkills
scientific process field research ergonomics project investigationsThis fall (September to December 2023), Fanshawe College’s Advanced Ergonomic Studies (AES) 2023/2024 cohort of students will be challenged to learn and work in an incredibly unique and innovative way. The AES faculty have learned that remote workplace projects can provide our ergonomics students with just as valuable job skills and experiences as onsite work placements. Therefore, we are looking to industry to help us bring ergonomics-related research projects, from organizations such as yourselves, into the classroom.
Specifically, I (Professor Karen Hoodless) would like to invite you and your organization to participate in her fall Research Methods and Statistics (RMS) class. This course is designed to prepare students to conduct ergonomics-related research in the field. A small group of 3-4 AES students will be tasked to work remotely with your organization to conduct an online survey with your employees that answers an ergonomics question you would like to resolve.
Project deliverables will include but are not limited to:
- Initial meeting with your assigned student group sometime during the week of September 18th
- Survey distribution to your employees or members, once or twice during the months of October and November (if necessary)
- Up to an hour presentation by your student group summarizing key research findings, during either the week of December 4th or December 11th
- By the end of December, you will received a 10 to 20-page journal-ready paper/report including an abstract, introduction, literature review, research methodology outline, analyses performed on the data collected, summary of results, discussion and conclusion.
Project timeline
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September 18, 2023Experience start
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December 18, 2023Experience end
Project Examples
Ideally, the remote research project should align with the workplace expectations of a novice practitioner of ergonomics. Some of our past research projects included:
· identifying workplace hazards to help the company prioritise their ergo assessments and resources
· comparing work demands or methods before and after job modifications (e.g. lift
assists, layouts, tools, or equipment)
· conducting product comparisons (ergo assessment software, tools, equipment, keyboards, mice, sit/stand desks, carts, insoles, exoskeletons, smart-beds, etc.)
· assessing employees’ level of ergonomics awareness or training
· exploring employees’ reception to a workplace stretching program
· investigating staff challenges in enforcing safe handling activities and policies
· evaluating if the recent implementation of a job rotation scheme achieved the desired effect of reducing strain/sprain injuries
· investigating the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on office ergonomics and well-being of employees
· collecting feedback on current standard ergo chairs and their employees’ level of knowledge on their adjustment features and comfort
· assessing the success of a pilot MSD Prevention training program and providing guidance if the program should be expanded across the organization
· evaluating if recent ergo interventions improve employee morale and show a reduction in workplace injuries
Research projects, that we may be interested in, are not limited to the above examples. However, emphasis will be placed on the students to work with your company to design the research protocol, develop an online survey, analyze the responses (statistical analysis), present the results back to your organization in the form of both a scientific paper and a formal presentation, all the while meeting both course and company deadlines within this fall’s school term.
Timeline
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September 18, 2023Experience start
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December 18, 2023Experience end