The role of auxiliary assumptions in the falsification of ergonomics theories

摘要

Based on the accusations that some important ergonomics theories are notnfalsifiable, the present article reflects on the issue in a different way than has beennpreviously presented by ergonomics researchers. This discussion highlights thenimportance of auxiliary assumptions in deriving testable predictions andnemphasises the complications that result from understanding falsification.nThese arguments are made more concrete by considering them in the context ofnan important ergonomics theory that has been the target of falsification-relatednaccusations – Multiple Resource Theory. Finally, the implications of this specificndiscussion for larger philosophical issues relevant to the falsification ofnergonomics theories are explicated.