Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the use of visual feedback by typists at various skill levels. 73 volunteers from 5 college typewriting classes completed three 1-min. timed typewriting trials and four 3-min. trials. Subjects' gross words per minute were used to classify subjects by skill level into five groups: 35 gross words per minute or less, 36 to 45, 46 to 55, 56 to 65, or 66 or more gross words per minute. Subjects performed each of the four 3-min. trials in a different condition of visual feedback: unrestricted visual feedback, visual feedback for response confirmation, visual feedback for response guidance, and restricted visual feedback. Three analyses of variance (groups × conditions) were calculated using gross words per minute, percent dependable feedback, and total errors as dependent variables. Main effects of groups and conditions were significant for gross words per minute and percent dependable feedback. Only the main effect of conditions was significant for total errors. There were no statistically significant interactions. Results suggest that typists at different skill levels use visual feedback similarly, with the best over-all performance occurring when visual feedback is available and used for response guidance.
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