Table of Contents

Items Page Numbers

Project Title………………………………………………………………………1

Introduction………………………………………………………………………2

Method of Data Collection……………………………………………………….3

Presentation of Data………………………………………………………………4-7

Analysis of Data………………………………………………………………….8

Discussion of Findings……………………………………………………………9-10

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………..11
 Project Title

An investigation into which method of data entry is quicker: typing or writing.

1
 Introduction

Since the beginning of time, human beings have been recording information. The

recording of information is an important aspect of any organization, as it usually serves as

evidence of communication, decisions, actions and history. In addition, storing information can

improve the operations of a business, especially as it concerns sales, taxes, inventory and client

details. The recording of information has been done in a variety of ways such as writing, typing,

painting, drawing, voice recording and video recording. However, writing and typing are

arguably the two most popular methods of recording information.

There have been a few studies which have focused on the comparison between the speeds

at which these two skills are performed. Some researchers have concluded that writing is a

quicker method, while others insist that typing is faster. Even though writing is more accessible,

the advent of the technological era has been improving accessibility to typing resources.

As these two skills are still popular in almost every society, the findings from this

research will seek to confirm which of the two methods is quicker: typing or writing.

2
 Method of Data Collection

In carrying out this investigation, the researcher obtained data by using a stopwatch to

record the number of words which twenty (20) participants (ten males and ten females) wrote in

one minute, and then typed within one minute. Each participant was given a rest period of ten

(10) minutes between writing and typing in case their hands were tired from the previous

exercise. The participants were given a sheet of paper with two paragraphs on it. These were the

paragraphs which were written and typed during the two exercises.

In addition, a short questionnaire was given to each participant. The questions sought to

gather information such as gender, age and occupation. The participants were randomly selected

from the community of Pimento Walk in Ocho Rios.

3
 Presentation of Data

The table below displays the number of words per minute (wpm) which the twenty (20)

participants wrote and then typed. In order to protect the identity of the participants, each was

assigned a letter of the alphabet.

Participant Writing (wpm) Typing (wpm)

A 15 30
B 19 33
C 17 35
D 25 52
E 23 47
F 29 58
G 19 36
H 18 47
I 20 44
J 17 39
K 22 71
L 28 82
M 24 74
N 27 85
O 24 41
P 16 43
Q 19 34
R 22 39
S 26 47
T 20 37

4
 Gender of Participants
60

50

40

30 Writing Speed (wpm)

Typing Speed (wpm)
20

10

0
Male Female

Figure 1 showing the comparison of writing and typing speeds for males and females

The graph shows that the average male writing and typing speeds are 22.7 wpm and 51.6 wpm,

respectively. The graph also shows that the average female writing and typing speeds are 20.3

wpm and 45.5 wpm, respectively.

5
 Age of Participants
60

50

40

30 Writing Speed (wpm)

Typing Speed (wpm)
20

10

0
12-18 years 19-25 years 26-40 years 40 & over
years

Figure 2 showing the comparison of writing and typing speeds for different age groups

The graph shows that the average writing and typing speeds for the 12-18 age group are 20.2

wpm and 45.8 wpm, respectively. Also, average writing and typing speeds for the 19-25 age

group are 22.8 wpm and 50.8 wpm, respectively. In addition, the average writing and typing

speeds for the 26-40 age group are 21.6 wpm and 46 wpm, respectively, while the average

writing and typing speeds for the 40 & over age group are 21.4 wpm and 52.2 wpm, respectively.

6
 Occupation of Participants
80
70
60
50
40 Writing Speed (wpm)

30 Typing Speed (wpm)

20
10
0
Students Office Skilled Unemployed
Workers Workers

Figure 3 showing the comparison of writing and typing speeds for different occupations

The graph shows that the average writing and typing speeds for students are 21.8 wpm and 48

wpm, respectively. Also, average writing and typing speeds for office workers are 25.4 wpm and

71.8 wpm, respectively. In addition, the average writing and typing speeds for skilled workers

are 17.8 wpm and 33.6 wpm, respectively, while the average writing and typing for unemployed

persons are 21 wpm and 41.4 wpm, respectively.

7
 Analysis of Data

The typing speed of all participants was higher than their writing speed. Whereas writing speed

ranged from 15 wpm to 29 wpm, typing speed ranged from 30 wpm to 85 wpm. It is important to

note that even the slowest typing speed of 30 wpm was quicker than the fastest writing speed of

29 wpm. The data also shows that the average male writing and typing speeds of 22.7 wpm and

51.6 wpm, respectively, were faster than the average female writing and typing speeds of 20.3

wpm and 45.5 wpm, respectively.

As it concerns age, the 19-25 age group had the quickest average writing speed of 22.8 wpm,

while the 40 & over age group had the quickest average typing speed of 52.2 wpm. It should be

noted that the 12-18 age group had the slowest average writing and typing speeds of 20.2 wpm

and 45.8 wpm, respectively.

In terms of occupation, office workers had the quickest average writing and typing speeds of

25.4 wpm and 71.8 wpm, respectively. It should be noted that skilled workers had the slowest

average writing and typing speeds, with 17.8 wpm and 33.6 wpm, respectively.

8
 Discussion of Findings

The typing speeds of all twenty participants were found to be quicker than their writing

speeds. This may be caused by the fact that individuals have to form letters when writing,

whereas they only need to press a key when typing. In addition, the prevalence of technological

devices has made it easier for persons to do more typing, and therefore get more practice time

with that skill.

The data also showed that males had a quicker average writing and typing speed than

their female counterparts. This may be caused by males’ tendencies to not place much

importance on their writing. Since not much importance is placed on the appearance of their

writing, they tend to write quickly. As it concerns typing speed, males probably excel due to

highly developed fine motor skills which are usually enhanced by the playing video games from

a young age.

Age was also a factor which affected writing speeds. The 19-25 age group had the

quickest average writing speed. This may be as a result of these persons being at tertiary

institutions where writing notes quickly is a requirement. By practising to take notes quickly,

writing speed increases. The 40 & over age group had the quickest average typing speed. This

may have been caused by the fact that these persons are seasoned professionals, and may have to

do a large volume of typing at work. Years of experience typing may have drastically improved

their typing speed. The 12-18 age group had the slowest average writing and typing speeds. This

may be due to the fact that some of these persons are still in their formative years, which means

that they may still be learning the art of writing and typing.

9
 As it concerns occupation, office workers had the quickest average writing and typing

speeds. Since these individuals work in an office setting where a lot of writing and typing are

required, these persons get more than enough practice with these two skills, which may have

increased the speed of both skills. On the other hand, skilled workers had the slowest average

writing and typing speeds. Due to the fact that these persons engage in more manual labour, little

to no writing and typing are done on the job. Since these workers do not engage in these two

skills often, they do not get enough practice, and therefore do not tend to excel at these two

skills.

10
 Conclusion

After analysing the data which were collected from the questionnaires and writing/typing

exercises, it may be concluded that typing is a quicker method of data entry than writing. Also,

males tend to write and type faster than females. In addition, persons in the 19-25 age group have

the quickest average writing speed, while persons in the 40 & over age group have the quickest

average typing speed. On the other hand, persons in the 12-18 age group have the slowest

average writing and typing speeds. Moreover, office workers have the quickest average writing

and typing speeds, while skilled workers have the slowest average writing and typing speeds.

11