Abstract
Several previous studies concerning the arrangement of the control/burner relationship of a four-burner stove showed discrepancy in their results. For this reason, a further analysis of this arrangement is necessary and worthwhile. Two research methods were adopted to duplicate earlier studies. One was the paper-pencil test in which subjects took three different questionnaire forms that used alphabetical, sign, and numerical code systems. The other method was computer simulation in which subjects took part in a performance test of four arrangements of con troll burner designs, and reaction time and error rate were measured. The results indicated the existence of a suggestive effect, which is a tendency by some stimulicues to induce a specific response unawares in subjects. This confounding variable must be controlled in the test tool design. Results also revealed a population stereotype in the controllburner linkage relationship that was different for Chinese subjects and for American subjects. The equivalence of research methods between the paper-pencil test and computer simulation was not completely assured.
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