Human factors research

Summary

For my Masters research, I set out to discover how a framework for learning communities could be integrated with a broader systems design framework called cognitive work analysis. By combining these approaches, my goal was to lay out design principles for internal social networking tools, such as company intranets. For the purpose of this research I worked with a global non-profit organization called UCP-SARnet to redesign their members site for increased connections between members. By integrating the learning communities and cognitive work analysis models, I provided recommendations for improvement. Based on the recommendations, I redesigned the members site for UCP-SARnet. To understand the impact of the redesign, I took a snapshot of the social network of the UCP-SARNet members before the redesign, 3 months after the redesign, and then 6 months following the redesign. Results were statistically significant and showed the network density of members increased and could be attributed to the redesign. These results supported the benefit of the combined learning community model and cognitive work analysis.

With the research, I’ve had the privilege to further contribute to the human factors community with a book chapter, journal articles, and a conference presentation. See below for these works. Please reach out if you’re interested to learn more about this topic.

publications

Euerby, A. & Burns, C. M., Chapter 11: Increasing social connection through communities-of-practice inspired design. Book editors: Urquhart, C., Hamad, F., Tbaishat, D., & Yeoman, A. (2018). Information systems: Process and practice. London: Facet Publishing.

Euerby, A., & Burns, C. M. (2014). Improving Social Connection Through a Communities-of-Practice-Inspired Cognitive Work Analysis Approach. Human Factors, 56(2), 361–383. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720813494410

Euerby, A. (2012). Designing for Social Engagement in Online Social Networks Using Communities of Practice Theory and Cognitive Work Analysis: A Case Study. UWSpace. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/6494 (Masters Thesis)

Euerby, A., & Burns, C. M. (2012). Designing for Social Engagement in Online Social Networks Using Communities-of-Practice Theory and Cognitive Work Analysis: A Case Study. Journal of Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making, 6(2), 194–213. https://doi.org/10.1177/1555343412440697

Euerby, A., & Burns, C. M. (2010). Advancing Complex Sociotechnical Systems Design Using the Community of Practice Concept. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 54(4), 428–432. https://doi.org/10.1177/154193121005400433