Exploring the Effect of Serial Positioning on the Recognition of Aircraft Call Signs

INFORMATION SHEET

Research Team

Chief Investigator

Dr Christine Boag-Hodgson

School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University

c.boag-hodgson@griffith.edu.au

Student Researcher

Casey Clark

School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University

casey.clark2@griffithuni.edu.au

Why is the research being conducted?

Call sign confusion has been recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization as one of the main risks to aviation safety. Call sign confusion is a hazard that can lead to a number of safety concerns, including loss of separation, aircraft accepting a clearance intended for another aircraft, and altitude deviations – the consequences of which can lead to near misses and collisions. This research aims to identify whether or not changing the position of errors in call signs leads to greater or reduced error recognition. This research forms part of the course requirements of the Bachelor of Psychological Science Honours.

What you will be asked to do

As a participant, you will be asked to listen to a recording of simulated ground communications between air traffic controllers and other aviation personnel. You will be asked to create a list of the call signs associated with the aircraft identified in the communications and tally the number of times each aircraft is identified. You will also be asked to map the position of the aircraft on a map of the aerodrome. The process should take less than an hour to complete.

The basis by which participants will be selected or screened

Male and female participants with aviation experience are required for this research and welcomed to participate. Aviation experience may include aviation students, pilots, and air traffic controllers/flight information service officers.

The expected benefits of the research

It is not expected that the project will directly benefit you. The project studies the cognitive mechanisms associated with the recognition of aircraft call signs. This project may benefit the aviation industry by adding to the literature surrounding the cognitive biases contributing to call sign confusion.

Risks to you

Negligible risks are associated with participation in the study. You may withdraw at any time without comment or penalty.

Your confidentiality

No personally identifying information will be collected from you as a result of your participation in this study. Data collected from you will be treated confidentially and responses are anonymous. You will not be individually identifiable in any publication or reporting. As required by Griffith University, all research data (study task responses and analysis) will be retained in a locked cabinet and/or a password protected electronic file at Griffith University for a period of five years before being destroyed.

Your participation is voluntary

Your participation is completely voluntary. If you agree to participate, you can withdraw from participation at any time without comment or penalty. As no identifying details are collected, there is no way for your data to be withdrawn from the research upon completion of the study. Your participation in this research does not impact upon your current or future relationship with Griffith University.

Questions/further information about the project

Please contact the research team members if you have any questions or require further information about the project.

The ethical conduct of this research

Griffith University conducts research in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. This research has been approved by the Griffith Research Ethics Committe (GU REF: 2016/016) If potential participants have any concerns or complaints about the ethical conduct of the research project they should contact the Manager, Research Ethics on 3735 4375 or research-ethics@griffith.edu.au.

Feedback to you

You may contact a member of the research team, and request that a copy of the research results be made available to you when the study is completed.