Written by Source: See the full paper available on PDF from Science Direct.
From Elizabeth Amorkor Okine, Esmaeil Zarei, Brian J. Roggow and, Naser Dehghan and the Department of Safety Science, College of Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
This review paper by Okine, Zarei, Roggow, and Dehghan (2025) provides a high-level map of how human factors (HF) research in aviation safety has evolved and where it is heading. Using a large systematic review and bibliometric analysis, the authors show that the field has progressed from an early focus on individual error and accident investigation toward broader, systems-based perspectives. Recent growth reflects increasing attention to organisational factors, safety management, and the interaction between humans, technology, and complex operational environments.
A key contribution is the identification of intellectual clusters that structure the field, revealing which themes are mature (e.g. human error models and accident analysis) and which remain under-developed. Notably, the paper highlights gaps in human reliability analysis, predictive safety methods, and integration with emerging technologies, signalling areas where future HF research could better support proactive safety management.
For practitioners and researchers, the study clarifies how HF knowledge has shaped current aviation safety thinking and underscores the need to move beyond reactive models toward data-driven, system-level, and forward-looking human performance approaches.
Abstract
Despite the multitude of research endeavors dedicated to Human Factors (HF) in aviation safety, a comprehensive review remains conspicuously scarce. Accordingly, this study presents the first in-depth systematic review and bibliometric analysis of the vital role played by HF in enhancing the safety and reliability of air transportation. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline, we scrutinized the Scopus dataset spanning from 1937 to late 2023. A rigorous screening process was applied to identify relevant documents, ultimately subjecting critical analyses of 1663 documents to address four foundational research questions within HF associated with aviation safety. First, our analysis delves into the identification of key areas of emphasis that have characterized HF in the aviation industry since 1937. By tracing the trajectory of research over time, the study aims to discern the evolution of HF within the aviation context. Furthermore, an exploration of primary challenges and knowledge gaps crucial to research is highlighted, with proposed pathways for future investigations to maximize their impact on air transportation safety. Finally, the study extends its inquiry to compare the existing landscape of human reliability research within the aviation sector with that of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and the Chemical Process Industry (CPI). This holistic approach to understanding HF not only contributes valuable insights into aviation safety but also contextualizes these findings within broader industrial frameworks, revealing the key gaps that exist in human reliability within the aviation industry. The outcomes of this study underscore the indispensable role of HF in establishing and advancing safer and more resilient air transportation systems.