How do designers gather reliable evidence, and how do ergonomics and anthropometrics shape a product?
Research methods (questionnaires, surveys, product analysis) and the use of ergonomics, anthropometric data and percentiles in design.
A CCEA A-Level Technology and Design answer on research methods such as questionnaires, surveys and product analysis, and on using ergonomics, anthropometric data and the 5th to 95th percentile range to design products that fit people.
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What this dot point is asking
CCEA wants you to describe research methods (questionnaires, surveys, interviews, product analysis, user trials) and to apply ergonomics and anthropometric data, including percentiles, so products fit the people who use them. Expect questions that ask you to size a product from body data.
The answer
Research methods
Ergonomics and anthropometrics
Percentiles
Worked example: sizing a feature from percentiles
Examples in context
Example 1. Aircraft cockpit. Controls must be reachable by the 5th percentile pilot while headroom suits the 95th percentile, so seats and rudder pedals are adjustable. This is anthropometrics deciding safety-critical layout.
Example 2. Smartphone size. Manufacturers research thumb reach across many hand sizes; phones that grew too large for one-handed use prompted "reachability" features, a direct ergonomic response to anthropometric limits.
Try this
Q1. Define ergonomics. [1 mark]
- Cue. Designing products and systems to fit the people who use them, for safety, comfort and efficiency.
Q2. A handrail must be grippable by small children. Which percentile of hand size would you design the diameter for, and why? [2 marks]
- Cue. The small (5th) percentile, so even the smallest hands can grip it; large hands can still grip a small rail.
Q3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using a questionnaire for research. [2 marks]
- Cue. Advantage: quick data from a large sample. Disadvantage: shallow or biased responses, and people may not answer honestly.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA 20196 marksExplain what is meant by anthropometric data and percentiles, and describe how a designer would use them when designing an adjustable office chair.Show worked answer →
Anthropometric data are measurements of the human body (for example stature, sitting height, popliteal height, forearm length, hand grip) collected from large samples and tabulated by percentile.
A percentile tells you the proportion of the population below a given measurement: the 5th percentile value is exceeded by 95 percent of people (a small person), and the 95th percentile value is exceeded by only 5 percent (a large person). Designers usually aim to suit the 5th to 95th percentile range, accommodating about 90 percent of users.
For the adjustable office chair the designer would: set the minimum seat height from the 5th percentile popliteal height (so a short user's feet reach the floor) and the maximum from the 95th percentile (so a tall user's thighs are supported); size the seat depth so it does not dig into the 5th percentile user's knees; and set the backrest and armrest adjustment ranges from the relevant percentiles. Adjustability is the key: it lets one product fit the whole 5th to 95th range.
Markers reward correct definitions of anthropometric data and percentiles, the idea of the 5th to 95th range, and at least two specific chair dimensions linked to a named body measurement.
CCEA 20214 marksDescribe two research methods a designer could use to find out what users want from a new kitchen gadget, and give one limitation of each.Show worked answer →
Questionnaire / survey: a set of written questions issued to a sample of users to gather opinions and preferences quickly and from many people. Limitation: responses can be biased or shallow, and people may not answer honestly or may not know what they want until they see it.
Product analysis (disassembly/comparison of existing products): examining competitor gadgets for function, materials, cost, ergonomics and faults. Limitation: it tells you about products that already exist, so it can anchor your thinking to current solutions and miss genuinely new opportunities.
Other acceptable methods: interviews (rich but slow and small-sample), user observation/trials (realistic but time-consuming), and focus groups. Markers want two distinct methods, each correctly described, with a sensible limitation for each.
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Sources & how we know this
- CCEA GCE Technology and Design specification — CCEA (2016)