Evaluation of Japanese word processors by the analysis of learning process

• Published in: Ningen kogaku. The Japanese journal of ergonomics Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 25 - 33
• Main Authors: KOMATSUBARA, Akinori, NAKAJIMA, Norio, YOKOMIZO, Yoshimi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Ergonomics Society 1987
• ISSN: 0549-4974; 1884-2844
• DOI: 10.5100/jje.23.25

In order to make clear the conditions of operational easiness of Japanese word processors for the begineers, a series of experiment was conducted. Twelve female students of equal capability were employed as the subjects. Their learning processes of operation of “Romaji”, “Kana” and “PWP 100” Japanese word inputting systems based on Japanese pronunciation rule, and “HC 88” Japanese word inputting system based on Japanese grammertical rule were analyzed. The results of factoral analysis of learning curves reveal that the learning process progresses in the order of “learning of keys arrangement”, “learning of inputting rules” and “learning of the details of the word processors”. The word inputting systems which require the specific inputting rules show the high miss rate and mental load. If the inputting rule is based on Japanese pronunciation rule, however, the miss rate and mental load are lower than those of not pronunciation rule. This result suggests that the inputting rule should be based on the Japanese pronunciation.