A Study on the Effect of Human Laterality, Type of Computer and Noise on Operators’ Performance of a Data Entry Task

Effects of human laterality, type of computer and noise on computer operators’ performance of a data entry task were investigated. Seven right- and 7 left-motorsided male subjects performed the task on desktop and laptop computers in a sitting posture under varying noise levels. The mean number of characters entered per minute was statistically analysed. The right-motorsided operators entered more data than left-motorsided ones at each noise level. Operators performed better on desktop computers. Operators’ performance decreased when noise level increased from 82 to 92 dB(A) but it improved at 102 dB(A). Effects of laterality, type of computer and noise, and the interaction between laterality and noise were statistically significant. The interactions between laterality and type of computer, and type of computer and noise were statistically insignificant. Laterality was statistically significant at all noise levels and noise was statistically significant for right motor-sided operators only.