How to Conduct Eyetracking Studies

Get 65 tips for conducting usability studies using eyetracking technology.  Learn techniques for planning the study and generating valuable insights. This 159-page report includes discussions and illustrations to supplement the recommendations.

This report focuses specially on methodology. For design recommendations, see our book Eyetracking Web Usability.

Topics covered

  • Determining whether eyetracking research is for you
  • Methodology techniques for generating valid findings and the pitfalls to avoid
  • Recruitment process
    • Communicating to participants during screening
    • What to say
    • What to ask
    • Telephone vs. email
  • Number of participants to include in a study
    • Desired output
    • Variability in heatmaps
    • The Slowly-Diminishing Returns curve
    • R2 explained
    • A better deliverable than heatmaps
    • Eyetracking studies in a lab: Setup notes
  • Think aloud method
    • Traditional studies: Benefits and drawbacks
    • Eyetracking studies: Drawbacks
    • Surveying
  • Introductions
    • Explaining the setup and purpose of the study
    • Calibrating the user's eyes
  • Facilitating study sessions
    • Tips for facilitating a smooth study
    • Sample protocol sheet
    • Saving files
    • Retrospective
  • Eyetracking Analysis Tools
    • Gaze replays
    • Gazeplots
    • Heatmaps
    • "Areas of Interest" or "LookZone" feature
    • Analyzing video and animation
    • Optimizing eyetracking analysis tools
  • Tasks
    • The scenic view
    • Task-based testing
    • Variety in tasks
  • Technology-related notes

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