Professionals Need Professional Tools
Human Performance Measurement, Inc.
Arlington, TX USA
- Concepts
- Instruments
- Software
- Techniques
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Professionals Need Professional Tools Human Performance Measurement, Inc. Arlington, TX USA |
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PROFESSIONALS NEED
PROFESSIONAL TOOLS
HPM has a family of modular instruments engineered to characterize
the human system quantitatively. Each works with a user-supplied
host computer that runs HPM's "BEP for Windows" software
and produces measures of important parameters from data acquired
during well-defined test trials. Results are stored in a local
database and presented in raw form with scientifically
accepted units (e.g., centimeters, Newtons, seconds, bits, etc.)
as well as in a compact graphical Z-score format. Z-scores
represent a single number means to place a given test result in
the context of a reference population (i.e., number of s.d. units
from reference population mean). Age and gender adjusted Z-scores
are automatically computed using databases derived from populations
of healthy individuals (as available). Reports are accessible
immediately from the video display or in printed form. To assist
researchers, "BEP for Windows" can export group data
into ASCII text files for statistical processing.
This system is one in a family of HPM tools designed to provide
professionals with a standardized basis for arriving at routine
client assessments and for conducting high quality research efficiently.
Our approach is to augment accepted subjective evaluations and
ad hoc "collections" of test equipment with an integrated
set of professional tools for objective measurement of structural,
performance, and behavior parameters. Our goal is to save time,
and therefore expense, while improving measurement quality and
scope.
HPM's
SYSTEM CONCEPT
Simply put, a "system concept" means thinking about
everything (in a given context) at the same time. This includes
things that exist as well as things that can be envisioned to
exist. It means doing things in a way that makes pieces of a system
more than "pieces" because they fit and work together.
In measurement, it means having a conceptual framework and a carefully
conceived architecture for the system's physical components. It
means that it will be easier for a user to obtain 10 measurements
with a set of instruments designed to work as as a system than
it would be to obtain 10 measurements with 10 independently designed
systems.
HPM's "system" consists of a conceptual framework, a
family of modular measurement instruments, and unique software.
Derived from 15 years of university-based R&D led by
Dr. G. Kondraske, at the University of Texas at Arlington's Human Performance Institute,
the HPM system incorporates a unique hierarchical conceptual framework
(the Elemental Resource Model).
Performance is characterized in terms of resources and quantified
at different hierarchical levels (basic elements, generic intermediate
level tasks, and high level tasks). This framework is similar
to that of chemistry (i.e., elements, compounds, etc.); the analogy
implies the opportunity for a simplified, unified approach to
understanding of human performance, measurement, and data interpretation.
More information on this topic can be found in various published
references.
"BEP
for Windows(TM)"--UNIVERSAL SOFTWARE
A single package (i.e., not one for each device) provides
the look and function of an integrated measurement workstation
and standardized access to your tools through a "total human"
systems model with a common sense hierarchical organization. "BEP
for Windows" software is packed with functionality. Use Auto-Protocol
to establish a sequence of tests across one or more BEP modules
and then administer them with a single mouse click. Imagine protocols
for: MS, PD, HEAD INJURY, STUDY A , ... Use Data Forms
to build a simple data form, enter data via keyboard and recall
it as part of the subject's test record. Get the flexibility to
include any standard rating scale into your protocols - while
working from one package.Windows is a trademark of Microsoft
Corp.
RESULT
REPORTING
Whether your needs call
for one or more modules, all results (including Data Forms) are
integrated automatically into one of several standard, compact
report formats: The Standard Comparison Report includes
raw data and Z-scores (i.e. number of SD units from average performance
of the reference population) in a simple graphical/numerical format
-- which is the same for every measure. The Progress
Report shows the difference between performance measured during
any two test sessions using a report structure consistent with
the Standard Comparison Report, keeping the need to learn to a
minimum. Z-scores are derived from a robust database (healthy
males and females aged 18 to 80; over 3,000 records strong) to
which HPM has the exclusive license to integrate into our software.
MEETING
CLINICAL NEEDS
Most commercially available measurement tools find their beginnings
in a university environment. Unfortunately, academicians typically
deal with groups of subjects while practitioners deal with individuals.
University efforts from which HPM's system concept and measurement
tools originated are different in that special focus was placed
on measuring the individual. Time, space, and measurement
scope requirements as well as the meaning of measures were (and
continue to be) addressed. Some of the benefits derived are obvious
- and some are more subtle but no less important. Clinically,
HPM tools are used to document objectively (e.g., impairment,
disability, functional capacity, or performance), to provide more
sensitive information for decision making, and to provide
an impartial scientific "second opinion" to augment
subjective judgments. Our clinical customers report success in
obtaining third-party reimbursement using established billing
codes (more information available on request).
MEETING
RESEARCH NEEDS
Test procedures are fully documented and have been revised over
a decade of development to optimize simplicity, validity, and
reproducibility. The Auto-Protocol feature helps ensure examiner
compliance with study protocols. The Data Form feature lets you
integrate commonly used scales, etc. with our objective instruments.
These features, and the standardization inherent in HPM
measurements, make compelling arguments for use of HPM tools in
clinical research studies, especially multi-center trials.
The Result Export function allows you to combine selected
data from individual subjects into a single file (i.e., group
data) that is compatible with popular statistical and spreadsheet
software. Requests are welcomed for custom instruments and
configurations. Literature references are available on request.
ONE SYSTEM
... MANY APPLICATIONS
HPM tools are designed to address the common denominators (i.e.,
basic elements of performance and generic intermediate level tasks)
that cut across all diseases, injuries, special skills, and
professions. Products are in use in six different countries
in many different types of settings.
COMPUTER
REQUIREMENTS
IBM PC or true compatible (386 minimum, 486 recommended), an available
serial port, VGA graphics interface w/ compatible monitor, 4 Mb
RAM minimum. Any printer with Windows driver. MS DOS (V5.0 or
later); Windows (V3.1 or later). Notebook computers work well
and are ideal for portable operation. Inquire about use with Macintosh
computers.
PURCHASING
and OTHER INFORMATION
Purchase orders accepted
with credit approval. Otherwise, prepayment is required. Delivery
guaranteed within 60 days of receipt of order, unless otherwise
notified at time of order placement. Orders from outside the U.S.
are welcomed; please specify shipping agent. Modules are covered
by a one-year warranty. Modules under warranty are replaced within
24-48 hours in the U.S. and as rapidly as possible elsewhere.
Similar replacement service for damaged or out-of-warranty modules
is available for a fee.
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Human Performance
Measurement, Inc.