The two paper samples represented typical A4 size
(295mm long) reading materials of semi-gloss and matte
finish papers, the lower edge positioned 50mm toward
the lamp from the desk edge. For the convenience of the
readers of this journal, the semi-gloss paper was chosen
as the inside of the back cover page of the June 1998,
vol. 29(3) issue of Applied Ergonomics (Notes for
Authors), and the matte finish paper sample was chosen
from P. 163 of the interior of the same journal volume.
Both samples were two columns of text on white paper.
Gloss measurements using the ANSI/ASTM (1994)
Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss: D523-89
were 45.6 at 601/86.3 at 851 for an un-inked area on the
semi-gloss paper, 4.5 at 601/17.2 at 851 for an un-inked
area on the matte finish paper, 59.8 at 601/79.5 at 851
for an inked area on the semi-gloss paper and 10.8 at
601 /25.2 at 851 for an inked area on the matte finish
paper. Papers and surfaces with this degree of specular
gloss are common in any office workplace.
The two-level factorial design is shown in Table 4.
The experiment run order selection was random. The
lamp height and lamp distance from the viewer levels are
typical ranges that could be achieved in under-shelf task
lights for open-plan office cubicles. The illuminance of
the lamp output changed with lamp design position (see
Table 4), and the illuminance with the polarizing film
was the same as for the polyester film. The glare
reduction rating difference at each design position was
judged as the change in glare with and without
polarization. In Table 4, the viewing angle of the main
reflection of the lamp on the page was calculated using
Eq. (2). In all positions, the glare from the lamp could be
seen as a reflection on the papers.