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The fundamentals of eye tracking part 2 : From research question to operationalization

Hooge, Ignace T C ; Nuthmann, Antje ; Nyström, Marcus LU orcid ; Niehorster, Diederick C LU orcid ; Holleman, Gijs A ; Andersson, Richard LU and Hessels, Roy S (2025) In Behavior Research Methods 57(2).
Abstract

In this article, we discuss operationalizations and examples of experimental design in eye-tracking research. First, we distinguish direct operationalization for entities like saccades, which are closely aligned with their original concepts, and indirect operationalization for concepts not directly measurable, such as attention or mind-wandering. The latter relies on selecting a measurable proxy. Second, we highlight the variability in algorithmic operationalizations and emphasize that changing parameters can affect outcome measures. Transparency in reporting these parameters and algorithms is crucial for comparisons across studies. Third, we provide references to studies for common operationalizations in eye-tracking research and... (More)

In this article, we discuss operationalizations and examples of experimental design in eye-tracking research. First, we distinguish direct operationalization for entities like saccades, which are closely aligned with their original concepts, and indirect operationalization for concepts not directly measurable, such as attention or mind-wandering. The latter relies on selecting a measurable proxy. Second, we highlight the variability in algorithmic operationalizations and emphasize that changing parameters can affect outcome measures. Transparency in reporting these parameters and algorithms is crucial for comparisons across studies. Third, we provide references to studies for common operationalizations in eye-tracking research and discuss key operationalizations in reading research. Fourth, the IO-model is introduced as a tool to help researchers operationalize difficult concepts. Finally, we present three example experiments with useful methods for eye-tracking research, encouraging readers to consider these examples for inspiration in their own experiments.

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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Humans, Eye-Tracking Technology, Research Design, Algorithms, Eye Movements/physiology, Attention/physiology, Saccades/physiology, Reading
in
Behavior Research Methods
volume
57
issue
2
article number
73
pages
30 pages
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • pmid:39856471
  • scopus:85217000861
ISSN
1554-3528
DOI
10.3758/s13428-024-02590-2
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
428cb7f4-b111-4424-afa2-7ec4f298ca50
date added to LUP
2025-02-01 19:03:13
date last changed
2025-05-08 08:23:51
@article{428cb7f4-b111-4424-afa2-7ec4f298ca50,
  abstract     = {{<p>In this article, we discuss operationalizations and examples of experimental design in eye-tracking research. First, we distinguish direct operationalization for entities like saccades, which are closely aligned with their original concepts, and indirect operationalization for concepts not directly measurable, such as attention or mind-wandering. The latter relies on selecting a measurable proxy. Second, we highlight the variability in algorithmic operationalizations and emphasize that changing parameters can affect outcome measures. Transparency in reporting these parameters and algorithms is crucial for comparisons across studies. Third, we provide references to studies for common operationalizations in eye-tracking research and discuss key operationalizations in reading research. Fourth, the IO-model is introduced as a tool to help researchers operationalize difficult concepts. Finally, we present three example experiments with useful methods for eye-tracking research, encouraging readers to consider these examples for inspiration in their own experiments.</p>}},
  author       = {{Hooge, Ignace T C and Nuthmann, Antje and Nyström, Marcus and Niehorster, Diederick C and Holleman, Gijs A and Andersson, Richard and Hessels, Roy S}},
  issn         = {{1554-3528}},
  keywords     = {{Humans; Eye-Tracking Technology; Research Design; Algorithms; Eye Movements/physiology; Attention/physiology; Saccades/physiology; Reading}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  number       = {{2}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Behavior Research Methods}},
  title        = {{The fundamentals of eye tracking part 2 : From research question to operationalization}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/s13428-024-02590-2}},
  doi          = {{10.3758/s13428-024-02590-2}},
  volume       = {{57}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}