2.2. End-User Evaluation Survey

The targeted end-users (construction workers and managers) were invited to interact with the wearable IMU sensing system and UI prototype that was developed. Feedback on their experience was captured via a structured survey to evaluate the usefulness and applicability of the proposed prototype. The following describes the survey design and implementation procedures.

We collected demographical information regarding trade of worker; job position of manager; years of experience in current trade or position; and work-related injuries of workers in the past five years. Based on the design criteria and metrics proposed in Table 2, a structured survey questionnaire was designed using five-level Likert scale questions (see Table A4). This questionnaire was used to collect the subjects’ evaluation and perception of the design of the proposed prototype. The survey questions were set up to evaluate the performance of the wearable sensing system with respect to MSD risk assessment and the delivery of information to workers. The questions were directed at supporting the participants to perform a holistic evaluation of system usefulness, applicability, and acceptance. The questionnaire also included open-ended questions allowing the participants to explain the reasoning behind their responses. The participants were also invited to provide feedback and suggestions for system improvement.

We recruited both worker and manager subjects from a residential building project under construction on the University Park campus of The Pennsylvania State University. Figure 8 outlines the procedure used to conduct the survey.

Implementation procedure for evaluation survey.

Construction workers participated in the following major steps:

Construction managers (including construction engineers and management personnel) from the project management team were invited to participate the following steps: