*Dr. Carswell is no longer accepting graduate students.
My major research interests fall within the fields of engineering psychology and human factors engineering. In particular, I am interested in applying many of the principles and methods used in the design of large-scale systems, such as aerospace, process control, and military systems, to everyday products that have an immediate impact on the quality of our lives. For example, I am interested in studying how people interact with products such as home entertainment equipment, kitchen appliances, and communications products in order to learn how to make these systems safer and easier to use, and to ensure that they are usable by a wide range of people.
Most of my current research focuses on three specific topics. The first of these involves the development and application of design principles that focus on the way in which visual and haptic displays (and control panels) should be structured. In addition, I am interested in evaluating the techniques and tools that are currently used in human factors labs to test the usability of products and systems at various stages of development. Finally, I am also interested in the psychology of product design itself, and in helping designers implement design strategies that will enhance the creative process while increasing the usability of their designs. The following articles are selected from my full list of publications to represent ongoing research in of these areas.
