Selection-based virtual keyboard prototypes and data collection application

An emerging area of research in engineering psychology is the evaluation of text entry for mobile devices using a small number of keys for the control of cursor direction and character selection from a matrix of characters (i.e., selection-based data entry). The present article describes a software tool designed to reduce time and effort in the development of prototypes of alternative selection-based text-entry schemes and their empirical evaluation. The tool, available for distribution to researchers, educators, and students, uses Action Script code compiled into an executable file that has an embedded Adobe Flash Player and is compatible with most operating systems (including Microsoft Windows, Apple OSX, and Linux).