> participants were instructed to either (a) write in cursive with their right hand the presented word with a digital pen directly on the screen, or (b) type the presented word using the right index finger on the keyboard.
however, in my case the blank keycaps did make the task a bit more difficult. i would write faster in cursive, and it might feel less effort.
also the reason was outlined:
> Allowing the use of (the fingers of) both hands would cause many unforeseen effects on the brain, which would make it hard to interpret the results.
btw, this post was quite frustrating to write.
Looks like this did this because "allowing the use of (the fingers of) both hands would cause many unforeseen effects on the brain, which would make it hard to interpret the results," since handwriting is done with one hemisphere.
Still weird.
While, statistically, that may be strictly true across the population, I suspect, in the main, people who are in an educational environment where note taking is a requirement can touch type.
I don't recall meeting anyone in the modern office—irrespective of department or title—in the last 25 years who can't touch type.