The aim of this study is to compare the effects of different light sources – namely light-emitting diode (LED),
compact fluorescent (FLcomp) and fluorescent with warm color temperature (FLwarm) and cool color temperature
(FLcool) – on the performances, alertness, visual comfort level and preferences in a pilot study. A laboratory
controlled experiment was conducted by focusing on 20 postgraduate students who volunteered to participate
in a series of tests under four different light sources. “GO NO GO” task and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS)
were employed to assess objective and subjective alertness, while modified OLS questionnaire was used to
gauge comfort level and preferences. In addition, editing and typing tasks were carried out as a performance
evaluation. Significant increase was observed in subjective and objective alertness level under FLcool condition
and LED in comparison to FLwarm and FLcomp (p < 0.05). In terms of typing performances, respondents performed
significantly better with regard to typing speed under FLcool than FLwarm and FLcomp. The lowest
number of typing errors was made under FLcool, followed by LED, FLcomp and FLwarm. LED was the most
preferred (p=0.001) and most comfortable (p=0.011) lighting condition. The study concludes that the FLcool and
LED were more beneficial for alertness level and performance for both computer-based and paper-based activities