Using Assessment to Provide Application in Human Factors Engineering to USMA Cadets Michael W. Boyce 1(&) , Charles P. Rowan 2 , Devonte L. Baity 2 , and Michael K. Yoshino 2 1 Army Research Laboratory, Orlando, FL, USA michael.w.boyce11.civ@mail.mil 2 United States Military Academy at West Point, West Point, NY, USA {charles.rowan,devonte.baity,michael.yoshino}@usma.edu Abstract. This paper discusses a collaboration between the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the United States Military Academy at West Point in teaching the fundamentals of human factors engineering through assessment and experimentation. To facilitate this, the cadets engage in a year-long capstone project where an ARL scientist serves as a mentor, often in conjunction with departmental faculty. This paper discusses a five-phase teaching process to assist in training the fundamentals of research. The five phases are: 1. Identification of research questions and background research. 2. The development of research protocols and their associated training, 3. The selection and understanding of appropriate assessment techniques, 4. The coordination and execution of data collection, and 5. Statistical analysis and reporting. This process uses an existing research experiment at ARL focusing on the impact of different types of display surfaces to support military tactical decision-making to serve as a case study. The research experiment used a hybrid of two research platforms: the Aug- mented REality Sandtable (ARES) and the Generalized Intelligent Framework for Tutoring (GIFT). An examination of the process as well as perspectives from the cadets assisting with the Perspectives from The ARL/USMA research and the cadets assisting with the research. These perspectives can help with the development of other similar programs aimed at combining research laboratories and academic institutions. Keywords: Military tactics Á Assessment Á Capstone Á Augmented reality sandtable Á Generalized intelligent framework for tutoring Á Cadets Á USMA 1 Introduction Bridging the gap between theoretical classroom learning and applied experimental research using technology is essential to the education of military cadets [1]. The department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership (BS&L), engineering psychology program at the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA) uses human factors engineering to make the classroom-applied connection. The relationship between organizations such as the USMA and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) provide © Springer International Publishing AG 2017 D.D. Schmorrow and C.M. Fidopiastis (Eds.): AC 2017, Part II, LNAI 10285, pp. 411–422, 2017. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-58625-0_30