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