Applying Cultural Ergonomics/Human Factors to Safety Information Research

Cultural ergonomics/human factors (CE/HF) is an approach that considers situation- and trait-based variations among cultures. Several trait and environmental factors that vary by culture have been shown to influence risk perception, risk-taking behavior, and compliance as well as other processes and behaviors. When applying a CE/HF approach to safety information research, researchers should pay careful attention to the planning and implementation of research activities. This paper discusses methodologies, recruitment strategies, and issues to consider when designing research intended to yield cross-cultural application.