Ability-performance relationships as a function of age and task experiencefor a data entry task

This study investigated age differences in the performance of a computer da ta entry task and the extent to which these differences were maintained wit h task experience. The study also identified abilities important to task pe rformance. One hundred and ten participants from 3 age groups, younger (20- 39 years), middle-aged (40-59 years), and older (60-75 years), performed th e task for 3 days. Performance measures included a measure of quantity of w ork and measures of errors. The results indicated that the older people com pleted significantly less work than the middle-aged and younger people acro ss all 3 days of the task. However, when controlling for differences in qua ntity of work, there were no age differences in errors. The data also indic ated that visuomotor skills and memory were significant predictors of quant ity and quality of work.