Research: Human-computer / Human-Information and communications technology (ICT) Interaction

Smartphone & neck discomfort – a potential intervention:

Compared to the standard way of viewing a smartphone, viewing a smartphone while wearing prism glasses was shown to improve neck posture and reduce neck extensor muscle activity.  Neck discomfort was also positively impacted for study participants who regularly experienced neck discomfort:

Tang, M., Sommerich, C.M., Lavender, S.A., 2021. An investigation of an ergonomics intervention to affect neck biomechanics and pain associated with smartphone use. Work 69, 127-139.

Accessibility of smartphones and apps:

2010-2012. Two proposals were funded by the Ohio Board of Regents and Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission:
– Accessible Mobile Web Browser: The objective of the project was to enhance the feature set and interface of a newly developed smartphone-based, open source web browser that provides mobile access to the web for students with print disabilities. project info
– Open Source Talking eBook Reader: The objective of the project is to enhance and distribute an already existing open source (free) e-book reader (Cool Reader), to make it fully accessible to students with print disabilities. project info
Research partners: Rajiv Ramnath, Director of CETI in OSU’s Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, and Steve Jacobs,
President of IDEAL Group, Inc. and CEO, Apps4Android. Inc.

High school students’ and teachers’ use of tablet PCs:

Sahika Vatan Korkmaz, Doctoral Dissertation, 2008: Application of participatory ergonomics principles into an educational environment: improving a high school information technology program via interventions. access online

Sommerich C, Korkmaz S. 2008. Survey response comparisons between student and teacher participants in a mobile instructional technology program in a high school setting. Proceedings of the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, New York City: The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Sommerich C, Korkmaz S. 2007. Exposure to ubiquitous mobile instructional technology in a high school setting: an observational study. Proceedings of the 51st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Baltimore, MD: The Human Factors Society.

Sommerich CM, Ward R, Sikdar K, Payne J, Herman L. 2007. A survey of high school students with ubiquitous access to tablet PCs. Ergonomics 50: 706-727.

Sommerich CM, Collura K. 2007. Learning with Mobile Technology: A Human Factors Perspective. In: Prey JC, Reed RH, Berque DA editors. The Impact of Tablet PCs and Pen-Based Technology on Education, West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press. p 127-136.

College students’ and instructors’ use of personal computers:

2009-2011. A joint effort with researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, in which we are studying tablet PC use in a sample of college students and instructors.

Noack-Cooper KL, Sommerich CM, Mirka GA. 2009. College students and computers: assessment of usage patterns and musculoskeletal discomfort. Work 32: 285-298.

Comparison of desktop and notebook computers:

Sommerich CM. 2004. Ergonomics Assessment Methodology for Work-Worker Systems: Final Progress Report Columbus, OH: The Ohio State University. (NIOSH-sponsored project K01OH000169)

Sommerich CM, Vatan S, Asmus A. 2004. Computer input devices: quantification of use and variation in use. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 48th Annual Meeting, New Orleans: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. p 1344-1348.

Sommerich CM. 2002. A survey of desktop and notebook computer use by professionals. Proceedings of The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 46th Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. p 1124-1128.