Research Methods in Human Safety Management - Assignment Example

Research Methods in Human Factors Safety Management - SP2 2015 ETHICS APPLICATION PROJECT DETAILS 5.1 Application Title The relationship between pilot fatigue on flight safety 5.2 Plain English title The effect of fatigue on pilots and flight safety. 5.3 What are the aims of your research? The aims of the research include: Exploring the causes of pilot fatigue and the effects of fatigue on pilot and flight safety Comparing and assessing the temperament, classification and characteristics of fatigue among pilots Reviewing available literature to assess the relationship between sleep and pilot fatigue Providing the foundation for measurement of fatigue 5.4 List your research questions or hypotheses. Your protocol should clearly identify the questions which you want to answer. Research Question: What is the impact of pilot fatigue on flight crew and flight safety? H1: Sleep-related fatigue is negatively linked to flight safety H2: Sleep-related fatigue is positively linked to flight safety 5.5 Explain the need for, and value of, your research. Place the aims in the context of existing research or practice AND what your study does to add to existing literature. (You must include a list of not more than 10 key references as an attachment to support your answer to this question. These are to be attached to the Attachments section of this application). Drawing from an extensive literature review a greater number of flight crew report being fatigued on regular basis. According to Drongelen et al.(2013), irregular and long working hours besides crossing multiple time zones are basic working conditions of flight crew. These working conditions can prompt travel fatigue, reduce quantity and quality of sleep and can disrupt the circadian rhythm, which prompts jet lag symptoms. Prolonged working hours instigate increased fatigue, disturbed work-life balance, impaired performance capability and health issues. In addition, long-term exposure to reduced sleep and circadian disruption can cause cardiovascular diseases, cancer and gastrointestinal disorders (Williamson & Rena, 2011). More importantly, fatigue lowers the attention of flight crew, the judgment and decision-making ability, cause unresponsiveness, dizziness and appeared flying illusion all of which are detrimental to flight safety ( Balkin & Bliese, 2004). Fatigue is experienced regularly among flight crew. A study cited by Drongelen et al.(2013) indicated that 75% of pilots acknowledge fatigue as a critical problem . Seventy-one percent of them admitted to have dozed off at least once during a flight. Fatigue is usually linked to decreased ability to work and poor flight safety. The major symptoms of fatigue among pilots include dizziness, headache, tiredness, easy distraction lack of concentration and physical impatient upset. Flight crew fatigue is triggered by both the environmental and human factors. High concentration of attention for prolonged time results in mental stress (Millar, 2012).  When pilots get fatigued and lose concentration, the flying quality is jeopardised. Distraction, inability to concentrate, decreased ability to judge and incorrect analysis of key flight information affects flight safety (Shiomo & Hirose 2000). With increased fatigue, coordination is affected thereby making the pilot not to able to control the aircraft accurately. More so fatigue may make the flight crew to miss the accurate procedure. Declined Physical sensation also declines thereby increasing generation of illusion and making of wrong judgements. Particularly, sleep-related fatigue put the flight Safety at stake. According to Van and Hanset at al.(2006), daily sleep holds an important regulatory role on cognitive alertness and ability. Human brain requires to rest to allow its effective operation with most people requiring eight hours sleep in order to uphold work effectiveness and efficiency. According to Hall, Duffy and Dijk (1997), pilot’s fatigue has been acknowledged as a major contributing factor in different aviation accidents and incidents. Short-haul flying is linked to great fatigue risk for pilots (Caldwell, John, Mallis & Melissa 2009). More essentially, the duration of sleep before a flight duty is another major predictor of fatigue and response speed. Duty start time affects the amount of sleep particularly in the early morning hours (Gander et al 2015). As a result, some regulations are put to restrict maximal duration of the flight duty period. Prolonged working hours may affect the final landing, which is very crucial and demanding, and this may jeopardise flight safety. A greater percentage of pilots report being fatigued regularly (Doran, Dongen & Dingen, 2001). The fatigue is caused by long and irregular and the crossing of time zones. It has been demonstrated that persistent fatigue can instigate health problems and impaired work performance. Pilot fatigue is an essential factor that affects flight safety. Although flight crew are selected based on their good physiological and psychological state, the high stress level linked to long flight, air pressure, enclosed space and lack of sleep triggers pilot fatigue that is detrimental to flight safety. The research, therefore, explores the effect of pilot fatigue on flight safety. 5.6 Please describe your research design and methodology (e.g., where will the data collection occur, what will participants be asked to do during the course of data collection, how long will the interview/focus groups/filling out the questionnaire take, etc). The research will assume a qualitative approach with a quantitative analysis that will help in attaining a deep comprehension of the topic. Data will be collected through interviews and survey. Open-ended and will be used to probe for more details concerning the impacts of fatigue on pilot and flight safety. The open-ended interviews will allow the participants to express their views as regards pilot fatigue and flight safety. The research will involve about 50 airline crewmembers in 50-flight ,aged between 25-50 years. The respondents will be crew members who are not suffering from insomnia and therefore, purposive sampling will be used to select the participants. The interviews will take approximately 30 minutes per participants in order to allow the respondents to express their views. Therefore, at least three days will be needed to collect in-depth data regarding flight crew fatigue and flight safety. Prior to commencement of the interviews, the respondents will be briefed on the objectives of the research. The respondents will be asked to sign an informed-consent form and no one will be coerced to take part in the research. PROJECT DATES 5.7. Proposed Commencement Date The research will commence on 30th June, 2016 5.8 Proposed Completion Date The research will be completed on 31st July, 2016 DATA: STORAGE, ACCESS, DISPOSAL 9.1 The information which will be stored at the completion of this project is of the following type(s). Please select all that apply. * Individually identifiable Re-identifiable * Non-identifiable 9.2 Where will the data be stored (please be specific with the address; if stored at UniSA, please specify which campus and the office/room location e.g. Mawson Lakes Campus, RM GP2-19 )? * Data will be stored in my office SCT2-19 Mawson Lakes campus 9.3 For how long will the information be stored after the completion of the project? Why has this period been chosen? * In accordance with the Australian Freedom of Information legislation, the data will be securely stored for a minimum of five years. 9.4 In what formats will the information be stored during the research project? (eg. paper copy, computer file on floppy disk or CD, audio tape, USB memory stick, videotape, film) * The data will be stored as a paper copy. The data will also be stored on video- tape and USB memory stick RESEARCH TYPE 14.1 This project involves: Research using...(Please select all that apply.) *  The project involves both qualitative methods and quantitative methods *Qualitative methods *Quantitative methods, population level data or databanks, e.g. survey, epidemiological research None of the above 14.2 What research methodologies will you use? (Please select all that apply.) *  *Anonymous questionnaires Internet questionnaires Questionnaires requesting intimate personal, identifying, or sensitive information Other questionnaires Face to face interviews which do not request personal or sensitive information *Face to face interviews which request personal or sensitive information Telephone survey which does not request personal or sensitive information Telephone survey which requests personal or sensitive information Focus groups Action Research Evaluation research Observation of participant's usual activities *Observation of an activity set up for the purposes of the study Access to medical records Access to records containing intimate, individually identifiable information, not publicly available Experiment or testing of a procedure, drug or equipment Use of biological hazards, GMOs or pathogenic organisms Use of carcinogenic and/or toxic chemicals, including heavy metals Use of Radiation (Ionising and/or Non-ionising, but not Ultrasound) Other 14.3 Will you be audio-taping, video-taping, or taking photographs of participants during the course of the study? Please select all that apply. *  Audio-taping *Videotaping Photographs No 14.3.1Why is it necessary to collect data in this form? * It will be necessary to collected data in videotape for purpose of clarity and future use PARTICIPANT INFORMATION 15.1 How many participant groups are involved in this research project? * The research will involved 5 groups from 5 different airports. 15.3 What is the expected total number of participants in this project at all sites? * The estimated total number of participants is 50 airline crewmembers 15.3.1 Please provide details of how many participant groups will be involved, the number of participants in each group, the age range of the participant groups, the relevant characteristics of each group and what each participant group will be required to do? e.g. pilot study group, main study group, interview group, focus study group, experimental group, control group etc The research will include 50 participants ten from different airlines. Therefore, each group will comprise of 10 participants aged between 25 and 50 years with at least five years experience in the airline industry. The participants will be required to provide information on pilot fatigue and how it affects flight safety. Each of the 10-member group will form the main study group. 15.3.2 Please justify the chosen sample size. * The research will involve 50 participants. This is an appropriate size for qualitative research with a quantitative analysis. The sample size is appropriate for valid and reliable results. SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS 16.1 What process(es) will be used to identify potential participants? * Purposive sampling will be used to select the participants. 16.2 Will potential participants be 'screened' or given a test/questionnaire to assess their suitability as a participant for the study? * *Yes No 16.2.1 How will this be done? * This will be done through filling of closed-ended questionnaires 16.3 Describe how initial contact will be made with potential participants. * The participants will be contacted via phone calls and e-mails that will be aimed at seeking their participation in the research. During this process, the potential participants will be briefed on the research objectives and procedures upon which they will decide whether or not to take part in it. 16.4 Is an advertisement, e-mail, website, letter or telephone call proposed as the form of initial contact with potential participants? * *Yes No 16.4.1 Please detail how this will be used and/or whether any approval is needed to use this contact method. No approval will be needed to use phone calls or emails because this will entail personal contact direct to individual participants seeking their participation. 16.5 List the selection and, if appropriate to your study, the exclusion criteria for participants. * The participants must be aged between 25 and 50 years and should be free from insomnia. Purposive sampling will be used as the selection criteria. 16.6 If it became known that a person or participant group was recruited to, participated in, or was excluded from the research, would that knowledge expose the person to any disadvantage or risk? * Yes *No PROJECT START, END, LOCATION DETAILS 17.1 Will the research be undertaken in Australia? * *Yes No 17.1.1 In which town(s)/city(ies)/State(s) of Australia will the research be undertaken in? * Melbourne and Sydney 17.1.2 In how many Australian organisations will the research be conducted? (Please list all organisations where participants will be specifically recruited from e.g. if recruiting UniSA staff or students, you have at least 1 organisation) * 1. Ararat Airport 2. Bairnsdale Airport 3. Me1bourne Airport 4. Kingsford Smith International Airport 5. Sydney Airport 17.2 Will the research be undertaken overseas? * Yes *No 17.3 Are there any time-critical aspects of the research project of which review committee should be aware? * Yes *No COVERT OBSERVATIONS 19.1 Does the research involve covert observation? Refer to Chapter 2.3 of the National Statement. * Yes *No DECEPTION 20.1 Does the research involve deception? Refer to Chapter 2.3 of the National Statement. * No 20.1.5 Are the risks associated with the research easily minimised or managed? * *Yes No Explain: The risks associated with the research will be easily minimised or managed because the research will involve anonymous questionnaires so there will be no risk of subjecting individuals into further scrutiny from the public, clients or their employers. PROJECT TYPE 21.1 Does the research involve any of the following? Please select all that apply. *  Drugs; narcotics; poisons; ingestion/injection of placebo, or an invasive procedure administered Clinical trials Cellular therapy Collection and/or use of human samples (eg tissue; blood or other body fluid collection/extraction) Genetic testing and/or genetic research Human gametes or use or creation of human embryos A practice or intervention which is an alternative to a standard practice or intervention *Investigating workplace practices which could possibly impact on workplace relationships Conducting the research overseas and recruiting participants None of the above WORKPLACE PRACTICES AND RELATIONSHIPSIf any part of this section does not apply, write ‘Not applicable’ in the relevant places (but make sure they are not applicable and answer them properly if they are) You have indicated that this research investigates workplace practices which could possibly impact on workplace relationships. Please refer to Chapter 4.3 of the National Statement when answering the following questions. 36.1 Indicate at whose workplace the research is to be conducted (Please select all that apply.): * One or more of the investigators *Any of the participants 36.2 What is the relationship of the researcher / investigator to the workplace ,eg. proprietor, student, consultant, employee (past or present)? * Student 36.3 What is the status in the workplace of all of the proposed participants, eg.Employee, client, consultant? * Employees 36.4 What measures will be taken to minimise the risk to workplace relationships? * It will be important to brief the organisations’’ management on the purpose and objectives of the research Upholding practical research ethics will be paramount to minimise workplace relationships Preventing conflict of interest will also help in preventing risks to workplace relationships Using anonymous data collection instruments 36.5 Are the risks associated with the research easily minimised or managed? * *Yes No RECRUITMENT 38.1 Who will you be recruiting as participants for this study? Please select all that apply. General public (over 18 years of age) Members of a collectivity People whose first language is not English People who are illiterate Pregnant women/human foetus Children People who are in a dependent or unequal relationship People who are highly dependent on medical care People with a cognitive impairment Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples People who may be involved in illegal activity UniSA staff UniSA students Not recruiting participants *Other 38.2 Does the research involve issues likely to be considered significant to Indigenous peoples? * Yes *No NA RISK TO PARTICIPANTS 51.1 Please select all that apply. This research project: * Has the potential to expose participants to potential civil, criminal or other proceedings Makes it possible for third parties to identify participants Involves a risk of physical injury Involves human exposure to ionising and/or non-ionising radiation (including X-ray) Involves exposure to disease or infection Involves pain or significant discomfort Involves psychological or emotional stress Involves sensitive personal information *May expose participants to potential loss of professional reputation,market standing; employability  May result in significant negative impact upon personal relations Offers an inducement which could be considered coercive Involves participation of people who legally cannot provide voluntary & informed consent None of the above RIGHT TO PRIVACY 66.1 Does IS42 or the Commonwealth Privacy Act apply to the research (eg access to identified personal data held by third parties subject to privacy regimes)? Refer to the Privacy law. * No COLLECTION METHOD 67.1 Data collected for this research project will be collected directly from participants (e.g. they are completing a question about themselves, their thoughts, their opinions etc). * *Yes No 67.1.2 Describe the information that will be collected directly from participants. Be specific where appropriate. * The information that will be collected from the participant will include their personal data that include, age, gender, positions in their organisations and work experience. Other data will involve working hours, time zones, travel fatigue, sleep quality and quantity, general health and issues linked to flight safety. 67.1.3 The information collected by the research team about participants will be in the following form(s). Videos and documents 67.1.3.1 Give reasons why it is necessary to collect information in individually identifiable or Re-identifiable form. * The information will be non-identifiable because this type of data is essential in minimising risks linked to workplace relationships. Non-identifiable information comprises of information with permanently removed identifiers so that a person’s identity is not disclosed. 67.2 Data collected for this research project will be collected from another person about the participant (e.g. asking participants' doctors about their patients medical history). * Yes *No 67.3 Will data collected for this research project involve the use or disclosure of information by an agency, authority or organization (other than UniSA)? (e.g. accessing participants' medical records) * Yes *No 67.4 Data collected for this research project will involve using information which you or your organisation collected previously for a purpose other than this research project? * Yes *No 67.5 Describe and justify how you will analyse the data collected from or about the participants. * Both the qualitative and quantitative data will be labelled and coded to ascertain the differences and similarities. Content analysis will be used for qualitative data while statistical analysis will be used for quantitative data. The statistical analysis helps in making sense of and drawing some inferences from the collected data. 67.6 Select all that applies to this project from the following:  Information collected for, used in, or generated by, this project.. *  Will not be used for any other purpose  *Will/may be used for another purpose by the researcher for which ethical approval will be sought Will establish a database/collection or register for future use (ethical approval will be sought) Will/may be made available to a 3rd party for subsequent use (ethical approval will be sought) Other PARTICIPANTS RELATIONSHIPS 68.1.1 Specify the nature of any existing relationship or one likely to arise during the research, between the potential participants and any member of the research team or an organisation involved in the research. * Any relationship that might arise in the course of the research can only be based on the project to avoid conflict of interest 68.1.2 Describe what steps, if any, will be taken to ensure that the relationship does not impair participants' free and voluntary consent and participation in the project. * The relationship will be purely based on the research in order to avoid impairing participants’ voluntary and free consent and participation 68.2 Does the researcher / investigator have another role in relation to the participant? * Yes *No 68.2.1 Describe this relationship and detail what steps, if any, will be taken to ensure that the relationship does not impair participants' free and voluntary consent and participation in the project. * ‘Not applicable’ 68.3 Will the research impact upon, or change, an existing relationship between participants and researcher / investigator or organisations? * Yes *No CONSENT 69.1 Will consent for participation in this research be sought from all participants? Refer to Chapter 2.2 of the National Statement. * *Yes No CONSENT PROCESS 70.1 Describe the consent process, ie how participants or those deciding for them will be informed about, and choose whether or not to participate in, the project. * The consent process will involve the provision of the specifics of the study. The participants will be briefed about the temperament of the study, the benefits and risks involved in order for them to make informed decisions. The details of the study will be provided in simple, clear and concise way. After a brief communication, the participants will be provided with a copy of the consent form reviewed by IRB that the they will be required to sign. 70.2 If a participant or person on behalf of a participant chooses not to participate, are there specific consequences of which they should be made aware, prior to making this decision? * Yes *No Explain: Participants will not be coerced to take part in the research and they are free to withdraw from the research at any stage. 70.3 If a participant or person on behalf of a participant chooses to withdraw from the research, are there specific consequences of which they should be made aware, prior to giving consent? * Yes *No Explain: The participation is voluntary but participants will be required to give consent. The consent form seeks the approval of the participants but does not impose consequences for withdrawal from the study. 70.4 Can individual participants be identifiable by other members of their group? (e.g. co-workers, focus group members etc.) * Yes *No Explain: Other members of a group should not identify Participants. This is because the participation is voluntary and requires the willingness and commitment of participants. RISKS AND BENEFITS Please note that when answering the following questions, only risks beyond those encountered in everyday life are relevant. Refer to Chapter 2.1 of the National Statement. 71.1 Are there any risks to participants as a result of participation in this research project (eg physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional, legal, social, financial well-being, employability or professional relationships)? * *Yes No Explain : There are risk linked to professional relationships or employability because the research entails highlighting the plight of pilots involved in long working hours. This may be seen as a way of complaining to employers and may jeopardise the profession of the people involved and may also taint their reputation. 71.2 What expected benefits (if any) will this research have for the wider community? The research will help in reducing flight safety issues for both the flight crew, clients, the employer and the entire community 71.3 What expected benefits (if any) will this research have for participants? * The expected benefits include provision of better working conditions 71.4 Are there any other risks involved in this research? eg. to the research team, the organisation, others (eg physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional, legal, social, financial well-being, employability or professional relationships) * *Yes 72.1 Is it anticipated that the research will lead to commercial benefit for the investigator(s) and or the research sponsor(s)? * No 72.2 Is there a risk that the dissemination of results could cause harm of any kind to individual participants - whether their physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional, legal, social or financial well-being, or to their employability or professional relationships - or to their communities? * *Yes 72.3 Describe how the members of the research team will monitor the conduct of the research. (e.g. Will regular meetings be held between researchers? Will student researchers be in regular contact with their supervisors? etc) * I will be in regular contact with my supervisor It is mandatory for researchers to report suspected cases of child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, bullying, illegal activities, use of illicit substances, abuse of elderly persons, professional negligence etc. 72.4.1 Is it likely that this will be disclosed during the course of the project? * *Yes No RESEARCHER TRAINING 73.1 List the relevant qualifications, experiences and /or skills of the research team, which equip them to conduct this research. * I am PhD holder in psychology and have great experience in research. I am lecturer in research methods. 73.2 Do the researchers involved in this research project require any additional training in order to undertake this research? * No – I have taken ethics as part of your course REPORTING OF RESULTS 74.1 Is it intended that results of the research that relate to a specific participant be reported to that participant? * *Yes 74.2 Is the research likely to produce information of personal significance to individual participants? * * Yes 74.3 Will individual participant's results be recorded with their personal records? * *No 74.4 Is it intended that all or some of the results that relate to a specific participant be reported to anyone other than that participant? * *No 74.5 Will research participants have the opportunity to receive a copy of your final report or summary of the findings if they wish? * * Yes 75.1 Is the research likely to reveal a significant risk to the health or well being of persons other than the participant (eg family members, colleagues)? * *Yes 75.2 Is there a risk that the dissemination of results could cause harm of any kind to individual participants - whether their physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional, social or financial well-being, or to their employability or professional relationships - or to their communities? * *Yes 75.3 How is it intended to disseminate the results of the research? Please select all that apply. * *  *Thesis/dissertation Journal article/s *Research paper Conference presentation Commissioned report Other 75.4 Will the confidentiality of participants and their data be protected in the dissemination of research results? * *Yes ATTACHMENTS Types of documents which should be attached with the application include Reference List/Bibliography, Information Sheet, Consent Form, Copy of Research Tools, Consent Form, Internet Questionnaire, Interview Questions, Focus Group Questions/interviews, Details of Observational Aspects, Details of Action Research Process, Insurance Confirmation, Organisational Approval, etc.  Guidelines on how to draft your participant information sheet are available at Guidelines.  A model consent form is available at Model Consent Form. Please ensure all irrelevant information is deleted as there are numerous notes to the researcher included in the model consent form to assist researchers to draft their form. Attach a participant information form and consent form (don’t forget your reference list as well). Even if you don’t have participants in your study, include these forms and complete them as best you can based on your study. References Balkin TJ. Bliese PD, Belenky G, et al.( 2004), ‘Comparative utility of instruments for monitoring sleepiness-related performance decrements in the operational environment’ [J], Sleep Res, pp. 219-227. Caldwell, J., & Mallis, M. (2009). ‘Fatigue Countermeasures in Aviation’. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine 80 (1): 29–59. Doran SM, Van Dongen HPA, Dingen DF.( 2001). Insustained attention performance during sleep deprivation’,evidence of state instability [J]. Arch Ital Biol, pp, 253-267. Drongelen, A et al .(2013). Development and evaluation of an intervention aiming to reduce fatigue in airline pilots: Design of a randomised controlled trial’, BMC Public Health, pp. 2-9. Gander, P et al.( 2015). Effects of sleep/wake history and circadian phase on proposed pilot fatigue safety performance indicator. Journal Sleep Research, vol 24, pp.110-119. Hall EF, Duffy JF, Dijk DJ, et al.( 1997). Interval between waketime and circadian phase differences between morning and evening types. [J], sleep Res, pp,716. Millar, M.(2012). "Measuring Fatigue" (PDF). ICAO.int. ICAO/IATA/IFALPA. p. 8. Shiomo K. & Hirose S. ( 2000). Fatigue and Drowsiness Predictor for Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers [C]. 45TH Annual ATCA Conference proceeding, pp,95-98. Williamson, A., & Friswell, R. (2011). Investigating the relative effects of sleep deprivation and time of day on fatigue and performance. Accident Analysis and Prevention 43 (3): 690–697. Wilson, Glen F.; Caldwell, John A.; Russel, Christopher A. (2007). Performance and Psychological Measures of Fatigue Effects on Aviation Related Tasks of Varying Difficulty’. The International Journal of Aviation Psychology 17 (2): 219–247. Read More