A Comparison of Numeric Data Entry with Touch-Sensitive and Conventional Numeric Keypads

This report describes two experiments designed to establish data entry characteristics of touch-sensitive numeric keypads on a CRT versus conventional telephone keypads. In both experiments, data entry consisted of entering a series of four digit numbers displayed in sequence on a CRT on a specified numeric keypad. In experiment 1 two touch-sensitive keypads with telephone keypad dimensions were compared to conventional telephone keypads. One of the touch-sensitive configurations included audible feedback one conventional keypad was mounted on a sloped box on the desk, the other was mounted on the CRT. In experiment 2 four different touch-sensitive keypad configurations were tested. Results indicate that the conventional keypads were superior in both speed and accuracy to all touch-sensitive configurations tested. Accuracy of data entry with touch-sensitive keypads was significantly improved with modified keypads used in experiment 2. In particular, it was concluded that sensitive areas should extend beyond visible keys, to include all of the area between keys. Additional keywords man computer interface speed accuracy.