Model fitting: A better approach.

Comments on the article by R. L. Hagen (see record 1997-02239-002) defending the logic and practice of null hypothesis statistical testing (NHST). It is argued that model fitting provides an approach to data analysis that is more appropriate to the cognitive needs of the researcher than is NHST. Model fitting combines the NHST ability to falsify hypotheses with the parameter-estimation characteristic of confidence intervals in an approach that is simpler to learn, understand, and use. Effect size estimation is central to the approach, and power calculations are vastly simplified relative to NHST. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Task-specific preference for numeric keypads

The present study examined task-specific user preferences for two numeric keypads. Eight scenarios describing numerical entry tasks were presented to 100 subjects. For each scenario, subjects were to choose the keypad of their choice between the ADD(ing machine) and TEL(ephone) arrangements. Scenarios including entering telephone numbers, the subject's personal identification number, other identification numbers, single digits, and mathematical calculations. A repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant main effect for scenario on preference. When scenarios described telephone number entry tasks, preference for TEL was as high as 82%, whereas preference for TEL was as low as 50% when the scenario described mathematical calculations. It is suggested that task-specific preferences may be valuable design considerations, and could correspond to task-specific performance differences.