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The fundamentals of eye tracking part 1 : The link between theory and research question

Hessels, Roy S ; Nuthmann, Antje ; Nyström, Marcus LU orcid ; Andersson, Richard LU ; Niehorster, Diederick C LU orcid and Hooge, Ignace T C LU (2024) In Behavior Research Methods 57.
Abstract

Eye tracking technology has become increasingly prevalent in scientific research, offering unique insights into oculomotor and cognitive processes. The present article explores the relationship between scientific theory, the research question, and the use of eye-tracking technology. It aims to guide readers in determining if eye tracking is suitable for their studies and how to formulate relevant research questions. Examples from research on oculomotor control, reading, scene perception, task execution, visual expertise, and instructional design are used to illustrate the connection between theory and eye-tracking data. These examples may serve as inspiration to researchers new to eye tracking. In summarizing the examples, three... (More)

Eye tracking technology has become increasingly prevalent in scientific research, offering unique insights into oculomotor and cognitive processes. The present article explores the relationship between scientific theory, the research question, and the use of eye-tracking technology. It aims to guide readers in determining if eye tracking is suitable for their studies and how to formulate relevant research questions. Examples from research on oculomotor control, reading, scene perception, task execution, visual expertise, and instructional design are used to illustrate the connection between theory and eye-tracking data. These examples may serve as inspiration to researchers new to eye tracking. In summarizing the examples, three important considerations emerge: (1) whether the study focuses on describing eye movements or uses them as a proxy for e.g., perceptual, or cognitive processes, (2) the logical chain from theory to predictions, and (3) whether the study is of an observational or idea-testing nature. We provide a generic scheme and a set of specific questions that may help researchers formulate and explicate their research question using eye tracking.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Humans, Eye-Tracking Technology, Eye Movements/physiology, Research Design, Visual Perception/physiology
in
Behavior Research Methods
volume
57
article number
16
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • scopus:85211961452
  • pmid:39668288
ISSN
1554-3528
DOI
10.3758/s13428-024-02544-8
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
© 2024. The Author(s).
id
e96002e6-7cc5-4bf5-959d-9753758d5320
date added to LUP
2024-12-15 09:28:49
date last changed
2025-07-07 08:12:17
@article{e96002e6-7cc5-4bf5-959d-9753758d5320,
  abstract     = {{<p>Eye tracking technology has become increasingly prevalent in scientific research, offering unique insights into oculomotor and cognitive processes. The present article explores the relationship between scientific theory, the research question, and the use of eye-tracking technology. It aims to guide readers in determining if eye tracking is suitable for their studies and how to formulate relevant research questions. Examples from research on oculomotor control, reading, scene perception, task execution, visual expertise, and instructional design are used to illustrate the connection between theory and eye-tracking data. These examples may serve as inspiration to researchers new to eye tracking. In summarizing the examples, three important considerations emerge: (1) whether the study focuses on describing eye movements or uses them as a proxy for e.g., perceptual, or cognitive processes, (2) the logical chain from theory to predictions, and (3) whether the study is of an observational or idea-testing nature. We provide a generic scheme and a set of specific questions that may help researchers formulate and explicate their research question using eye tracking.</p>}},
  author       = {{Hessels, Roy S and Nuthmann, Antje and Nyström, Marcus and Andersson, Richard and Niehorster, Diederick C and Hooge, Ignace T C}},
  issn         = {{1554-3528}},
  keywords     = {{Humans; Eye-Tracking Technology; Eye Movements/physiology; Research Design; Visual Perception/physiology}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Behavior Research Methods}},
  title        = {{The fundamentals of eye tracking part 1 : The link between theory and research question}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/s13428-024-02544-8}},
  doi          = {{10.3758/s13428-024-02544-8}},
  volume       = {{57}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}