Industrial Inspection Efficiency and the Probability of a Defect Occurring

Abstract
Following Colquhouu's more general result that in a vigilance task probability rather than frequency of occurrence determines an operator's efficiency, the effect of ‘ probability ’ has been tested on the shop floor for probabilities in the range 0·01 to 0·05 for paced and unpaced inspection. A ‘ probability ’ effect was found for the ‘ unpaced condition ’. Raising the probability increased the level of detection of defects significantly The practical and theoretical implications of the current study are discussed: particularly relating the relevance of laboratory studies to practical situations.