Abstract
This study was designed to test validity of the assumption that 10-key electronic calculators should always be operated with the right hand, with no regard to the natural preference for tight or left hand by the operator. The question was whether the theory universally accepted in typewriting (of naturally expecting the student to use both hands) necessarily applies to office machines techniques. The hypothesis was that students who naturally use the right hand to write will achieve equal or greater speed and accuracy by operating 10-key electronic calculators with the left hand. Right-handed trainees were randomly divided into right- or left-handed keyboarding groups. Multivariate analysis showed treatment on both speed and errors was significant, and univariate analysis indicated treatment on speed was significant. It may be possible to improve speed in the operation of office machines, with no significant loss of accuracy, by instructing trainees to operate the keyboard with the alternate hand and record answers with the dominant hand.
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