Transcription error

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A transcription error is a specific type of data entry error that is commonly made by human operators or by optical character recognition programs (OCR). Human transcription errors are commonly the result of typographical mistakes, putting fingers in the wrong place during touch typing is the easiest way to ascertain this error^[1]. A slang term "stubby fingers" is used for people who commonly make this mistake. Electronic transcription occurs when the results of a scan of printed matter is compromised or in an unusual font e.g. - if the paper is crumpled, or the ink is smudged when wet, the OCR may have a transcription error when reading.

Examples of Transcription Error

Input : Gtegory
Instead of : Gregory

Input : 34^rd of August
Instead of : 23^rd of August

Input : Jishua
Instead of : Joshua

[edit] Transposition Error

Transposition errors are commonly mistaken for transcription errors, but they should not be confused. As the name suggest, transposition errors occur when characters have "transposed" - that is, they have switched places. Transposition errors are almost always human in origin. The most common way for characters to be transposed is when a user is touch typing at a speed that makes them input one character, before the other. This may be caused by their brain being one step ahead of their body.

Examples of Transposition Error

Input : Gergory
Instead of : Gregory

Input : 23^rd of Auguts
Instead of : 23^rd of August

Input : Johsua
Instead of : Joshua

[edit] Solving Transcription and Transposition Errors

Transcription and Transposition errors are found everywhere, even in professional articles in newspapers or books whether fictional or factual. They can be missed by editors quite simply, just as they can be typed quite simply. The most obvious cure for the errors is for the user to watch the screen when they type, and to proof read. If the entry is occurring in data capture forms, databases or subscription forms, the coder of the forms or the database administrator should use input masks or validation rules.

Transcription and Transposition error may also occur in syntax when coding or programming, within variable declaration or within coding parameters - this should be checked by proof reading, however syntax errors may be picked up by the program the author is using. Common desktop publishing and word processing applications use spell checkers and grammar checkers which may pick up on some transcription/transposition errors - not all errors may be picked up however, as some errors may form new words which fit grammatically. For instance if the user wished to write "The fog was dense", but instead put "The dog was dense", a grammar and spell checker would not notify the user because both phrases are grammatically correct, as is the spelling of the word "dog" and "fog". Unfortunately, the situation regarding these errors is likely to get worse before it gets better, as workload for users and workers regarding manual direct data entry devices (DDE) increases.