Call for Papers for a Special Issue of Applied Ergonomics: Warnings
Christopher B. Mayhorn, North Carolina State University
Kenneth R. Laughery, Rice University
Michael S. Wogalter, North Carolina State University
Manuscripts are being solicited for a special issue of the Applied Ergonomics on Warnings to be published late 2013.
Theme of the Special Issue
Warnings are used to communicate hazard and risk information to people as a means of preventing accidents and injury. Since the mid 1980s, warning research has undergone tremendous growth in defining the factors that determine whether a warning will or will not be effective. Research has begun to evaluate early and intermediate stages of processing necessary for behavior change (e.g., tests of attention and comprehension), using new technologies and methodologies (e.g., virtual reality and behavioral paradigms), or using assessments of perceptions of risk and hazard. However, there is still a great need for new approaches and research to fill gaps in knowledge in this important area. While it is clear that warnings can be effective in increasing safe behavior in some situations and with some persons, their use remains controversial. Most research and discussions on warnings issues have been presented at conferences and in proceedings, but have not enjoyed wide dissemination in journal publications. As a result, this information has not reached individuals who might be able to use it in practice and research. The purpose of the Special Issue on Warnings in Applied Ergonomics is twofold. First, the Special Issue should make available to academics and practitioners, the state-of-the-art of warnings research and theory. Second, it should serve as a bridge between warnings research and other fields that relate to safety perceptions and behavior.
The co-editors of the Special Issue take a broad view of the area of warnings and they anticipate receiving research articles that address a range of topics. Manuscripts of particular interest might include (but are not limited to):
High quality empirical research applied to areas such as medicine, transportation, workplace safety, public information signage, security, or consumer products.
Theoretical contributions (possibly models) that would integrate and assess existing research in areas such as receiver characteristics (e.g., personality, age, etc.) or delivery modality (e.g., auditory, olfactory, etc.). Cross-cultural topics are especially important given the international readership of Applied Ergonomics.
Studies that address general warnings design and system integration that influence the effectiveness of warning labels on or accompanying consumer products (e.g., their display in owner’s manuals).
Research that includes practitioner case studies that describe domain specific situations where warnings are/are not effective. For example, research might investigate the role of warnings in the media (e.g., in advertisements, public service announcements, or on the web).
New approaches in research including methodological and technological advances to measuring and predicting compliance.
Work that explores non-design influences on warning effectiveness (e.g., personal, social, time, and stress characteristics or effects).
Forensic investigations that measure aspects of warnings and risk communications.
Manuscripts are due August 3, 2012. For further information and manuscript-format instructions, please visit http://ees.elsevier.com/jerg/ or contact any co-editor. Those wishing to submit a manuscript should contact the co-editors as soon as possible as there are specific instructions for identifying manuscripts for this Special Issue within the Elsevier Editorial System. Corresponding authors of accepted manuscripts will receive a printed copy of the special issue.
The co-editors are also soliciting qualified individuals to review submitted manuscripts. If interested, please contact Chris Mayhorn.
Christopher B. Mayhorn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, North Carolina State University
Email: Chris_mayhorn@ncsu.edu
Telephone: (919) 513-4856
