The effect of errors in the text produced so far. Strategy decisions based on error span, input mode, and lexicality

Error analysis involves detecting, diagnosing and correcting discrepancies between the text produced so far (TPSF) and the writers mental representation of what the text should be. While many factors determine the choice of strategy, cognitive effort is a major contributor to this choice. This research shows how cognitive effort during error analysis affects strategy choice and success as measured by a series of online text production measures. Text production is shown to be influenced most by error span, i.e. whether or not the error spans more or less than two characters. Next, it is influenced by input mode, that is whether or not the error has been generated by speech recognition or keyboard, and finally by lexicality, i.e. whether or not the error comprises an existing word. Correction of larger error spans are corrected more successful smaller errors. Writers impose a wise speed accuracy tradeoff during large error spans since correction is better, but preparation times and production times take longer, and interference reaction times are slower. During large error spans, there is a tendency to opt for error correction first, especially when errors occurred in the condition in which the TPSF is not preceded by speech. In general the addition of speech frees the cognitive demands of writing: shorter preparation and reaction times. Writers also opt more often to continue text production when the TPSF is presented auditory first.