bachelor_thesis_proposal/chap0/sec1.tex

% Chapter 0 - Proposal
% Section 1 - Motivation, problem statement and thesis objectives
\section{Bachelor Thesis Proposal - Philip Gaber}
{\huge Impact of personalized, per key, actuation force on efficiency and satisfaction while using mechanical keyboards}
\subsection{Motivation}
In recent years, computers are used to some extend in almost every industry in
Europe \cite{eurostat_ent_w_comp} and China \cite{iresearch_ent_w_comp}. This
leads to the conclusion, that also other countries must have a high usage of
computers in corporations. Furthermore, according to a statistic published by
\citeauthor{itu_hh_w_comp} in 2019, nearly half of the worldwide households have
access to at least one computer \cite{itu_hh_w_comp}. One of the most used
devices for data input while operating a computer is the keyboard
\parencite[22]{handbook_chi}. Therefore, people who use a computer, either at
home or to fulfill certain tasks at work, are also likely to use a
keyboard. There are also different mechanisms which are used in keyboard keys to
determine if a key is pressed. More commonly used mechanism to date are scissor
switches, mostly used in laptop keyboards, dome/membrane switches, often used in
low- to mid-priced keyboards, and mechanical switches which are the main switch
type for high-priced and gaming keyboards \cite{ergopedia_keyswitch}. Depending
on the mechanism and type of key used, it is possible that different force has
to be applied to the key to activate it. Normally, the force required to
activate a key is identical for each key across the keyboard. However, previous
research has shown, that there is a disparity in force generated by different
fingers \cite{bretz_finger_force}. This raises the question, why there are no
keyboards with adjusted actuation forces per finger or even customizable
keyboards, where an individual can select the actuation force for each
keyswitch.

\subsection{Proposed Objective, Research Question and Hypothesis}

This thesis is intended to provide an overview of already conducted research in
the domain of keyboards, especially in connection with actuation force and the
impact of different keyswitches on keyboard users.

Because there is no previous research in the particular field of per finger/key
actuation force for (mechanical) keyboards and the impact of such customization
on efficiency and comfort, this thesis is also intended to research if this is a
viable option in comparison to the classic keyboard with uniform actuation
force. Therefore the author proposes to answer the question:

\begin{tabular}{p{0.3cm} p{0.5cm} p{13cm} p{0.5cm}}
  & \textbf{\large RQ}	& {\Large Does a personalized, per key, actuation force have a positive impact on efficiency and satisfaction?} & \\
\end{tabular}
\vspace{1em}

\begin{longtable}{p{0.3cm} p{0.5cm} p{13cm} p{0.5cm}}
  & \textbf{H1}	& Lower key actuation force improves typing speed over higher key actuation force and therefore enhances efficiency. & \\
  & & & \\
  & \textbf{H2}	& Higher key actuation force decreases typing errors compared to lower key actuation force, which improves efficiency. & \\
  & & & \\
  & \textbf{H3}	& Keys with lower actuation force are perceived as more satisfactory to write with then keys with higher actuation force. & \\
  & & & \\
  & \textbf{H4}	& Users perform better and feel more satisfied while using Keyboards with personalized/adjusted key actuation force then without the personalization/adjustment. & \\
\end{longtable}


\section{Proposed Method}

\subsection{Subjects}

Main target group to recruit participants for the research study from are
personal contacts and fellow students. It is planned to recruit ~20 participants
in total. Participants are required to type with more than just one
finger. Therefore touch typing is not a mandatory but helpful skill to
participate. The age distribution for the subjects is estimated to be between 18
and 56 years. The average typing speed should be known prior to the main
experiment. Therefore, a typing speed test should be performed on the subject's
own keyboard beforehand. This pre experiment typing test has to be performed
within the standardized test environment consisting of an adjustable chair,
desk, monitor and the typing test software used within the main experiment.
Also, all subjects have to give their written consent to participate in the
study.

\subsection{Study design}

The experiment should consist of a experimental group and a control group. The text used for the typing test should be easily understandable. Therefore the text has to be evaluated with the help of a Flesch-Kncaid scala (understandability of text).

% ASK: Should there be a control group at all, if so should they use their own keyboard or always the same random keyboard while they think they are testing different keyswitches?

\textbf{Planned experiment procedure:}

\begin{enumerate}
  \item Pre-Test questionnaire to gather demographic and other relevant
  information (age, gender, dominant hand, touch typing experience, average
  \gls{KB} usage per day, previous medical conditions affecting the result of
  the study -> \gls{RSI}, \gls{CTS}, etc.) (5 min)

  % ASK: Medical conditions OK?

  \item Adjustment of test environment (Chair height, monitor height, etc.) (2 min)
  \item Familiarization with the typing test (5 min)
  \item \textbf{Main-Test part 1 (H1-H3):} Typing tests (2x 5 min per \gls{KB} +
  5 min break in between tests) with different actuation forces for the whole
  keyboard (35 \gls{g}, 50 \gls{g}, 80 \gls{g}). These specific values are the
  results of a self conducted comparison between the product lines of most major
  keyswitch manufacturers. The results show, that the lowest average force for
  keyswitches available is 35 \gls{g}, the highest average force is 80 \gls{g},
  and the most common offered force is 50 \gls{g}. The keyboard has an ISO type
  and QWERTZ layout to match the subjects day-to-day layout and keyboard
  format. The keyboard uses mechanical keyswitches which are hot-pluggable and
  therefore can be changed after each typing test while participants take a
  break. The order for the keyswitch actuation forces and texts for the
  individual tests is randomized and across subjects counterbalanced to mitigate
  order effects \cite{statist_counterbalancing}. \textbf{(total: 60 min)}
  \begin{enumerate}
    \item First typing test (15 min)
    \item Change of keyswitches + follow-up ISO keyboard comfort questionnaire (ISO9241-410) (5 min)
    \item Second typing test (15 min)
    \item Change of keyswitches + follow-up ISO keyboard comfort questionnaire (ISO9241-410) (5 min)
    \item Third typing test (15 min)
    \item Follow-up ISO keyboard comfort questionnaire (ISO9241-410) (5 min)
  \end{enumerate}
  \item \textbf{Main-Test part 2 (H4):} Another typing test to compare the
  results of keyboards with uniform actuation force to keyboards with adjusted
  actuation force per finger/key. \textbf{(total: 50 min)}
  \begin{enumerate}
    \item Typing sample text on an analog keyboard with high actuation force (150
    \gls{g}) to measure difference in typing force per finger and key. The subject
    should be forced to press every relevant key (letters, digits, common special
    characters) at least 5 times (can be replaced by a keyboard that is equipped
    with different zones of keyswitches that use appropriate actuation forces) (30
    min including adjustment of keyboard and familiarization)
    \item Typing speed tests on the adjusted keyboard (15 min) with follow-up ISO
    keyboard comfort questionnaire (ISO9241-410) (5 min)
  \end{enumerate}
\end{enumerate}

% More than 60 min is probably to long
With all those tasks, the experiment would exceed 60 minutes. Therefore, the
additional typing test with the adjusted keyboard could take place on another
day or the initial tests to figure out the performance and comfort for different
key actuation forces could be left out entirely and only the adjusted keyboard
is compared to the personal keyboard of each participant.

All tests could be enhanced with the use of \gls{EMG} measurement and/or additional force measurement (with force plates) during the typing tests.

This test scenario is inspired by the tests conducted by \cite{kim_typingforces}.

% TODO: Dissatisfied statt comfort da hohe error rate und dadurch frustriert
% TODO: Bei hypothesen noch error rate bei geschwindigkeit mit einbeziehen