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Related Experiment Videos

Are there task specific performance effects for differently configured numeric keypads?

R G Marteniuk1, C J Ivens, B E Brown

  • 1Human Motor Systems Lab, School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

Applied Ergonomics
|October 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
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Numeric keypad performance is fastest with the zero key at the bottom, regardless of telephone (TEL) or adding machine (ADD) layout. This finding suggests a universal keypad design with a bottom-placed zero key for optimal speed.

Area of Science:

  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Ergonomics
  • Usability Engineering

Background:

  • Previous research indicated a preference for the telephone (TEL) numeric keypad layout over the adding machine (ADD) layout.
  • A recent study suggested that user preference for the TEL layout might be influenced by specific task types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of numeric keypad layout and zero key placement on user performance across different tasks.
  • To determine if task-specific effects influence numeric keypad performance.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-four subjects performed tasks on four keypad layouts: TEL (zero top/bottom) and ADD (zero top/bottom).
  • Tasks included entering four-digit strings, seven-digit strings, and standard North American telephone number formats.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Performance was measured by speed (rate of use) and accuracy (error rate).

    • Main Results:

    • Keypad use speed was significantly faster when the zero key was positioned at the bottom, irrespective of the overall layout (TEL or ADD).
    • No significant differences in error rates were observed across the various keypad layouts.
    • No task-specific performance effects were identified.

    Conclusions:

    • Numeric keypad performance is primarily influenced by the zero key's placement, with the bottom position being optimal for speed.
    • Either the ADD or TEL layout could be standardized for numeric keypads, provided the zero key is consistently placed at the bottom.
    • These findings offer practical recommendations for designing more efficient and user-friendly numeric input devices.