One slip, one wrong laptop
A technician types the asset tag PC-0472 when it should be PC-0427. Two digits swapped.
Another day, somebody types PC-0428. One digit is wrong. Both slips look small. Both send a repair to the wrong laptop. This lesson names the two slips and four ways to stop them.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can name two kinds of typing slip and say how to reduce them.
Key words
| Word | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Data entry | Typing or choosing data to put into a system. | Filling in a ticket form |
| Transcription error | Copying a character wrongly. | 0427 typed as 0428 |
| Transposition error | Swapping two characters that are next to each other. | 0427 typed as 0472 |
| Validation | A check that input is sensible and allowed. | Four digits only |
| Verification | A check that input was typed correctly, such as typing it twice. | Enter the email again |
| Drop-down menu | A list the user picks from instead of typing. | Priority: low, medium, high |
| Pre-filled box | An entry box that already holds a likely value. | The last room used |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Starter: what you already know
Have a go
Starter: what you already know
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Two kinds of typing slip
A transcription error is when you copy a character wrongly. You see 7 and type 8.
A transposition error is when two neighbouring characters swap places. You mean 27 and type 72.
They happen when people are tired, rushed or copying long codes. Both are very common in data entry.
Worked example: spot the slip
| Should be | Typed | Kind of slip |
|---|---|---|
| PC-0427 | PC-0428 | Transcription: 7 became 8 |
| PC-0427 | PC-0472 | Transposition: 2 and 7 swapped |
| PC-0427 | PC-0427 | None |
| ROOM-B1 | ROOM-B7 | Transcription: 1 became 7 |
| DESK-30 | DESK-03 | Transposition: 3 and 0 swapped |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Check: which slip?
Have a go
Check: which slip?
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.