Studies of Typing from the LNR Typing Research Group.

The report consists of five chapters. Chapter 1 is a glossary of terms and a classification of typing errors intended to be used as a standard nomenclature for future work. Chapter 2 is an overview of studies of typing and a brief review of the computer simulation model of skilled typing. Chapter 3 compares skilled and novice performance in discontinuous typing. Chapter 4 discusses keystroke timing in transcription typing, and Chapter 5 discusses error patterns in skilled and novice transcription typing. In general, the studies use a variety of methods, including computer simulation, stop-frame video analysis, studies of interkeystroke interval distributions, and analysis or error patterns. Subjects ranged from novice typists taking a high school typing class to expert and super typists typing speeds studied ranged from 12 wpm to 112 wpm. The studies help explore the influence of motor schemas and preplanning in the learning and performance of highly skilled motor activities, examine the row of overlapping, parallel motor activity, analyze the significant differences in typing styles, even among typists of equivalent ability, and lead us towards better understanding of the cognitive control systems for complex motor tasks.