> Someone as knowledgeable on the subject as yourself could do the world > some good by refuting the list that started this conversation, or at least > debating the merits of eye tracking. > > Eye-tracking provides unique methods to assess the impact of digital media i.e., advertisements and web pages. Even still, the range of technology and data resulting from research using eye-tracking varies beyond any wide-sweeping criticism... The issue of accuracy Mr. Spool is suggesting deals with what researchers call "visual acuity." Foveal vision constitutes 1-2 degrees of the eyes' visual field, which equates to roughly the area covered by your thumb at arms length. For researchers using eye-tracking, this often means that foveal vision is composed of an area of approximately 2cm in diameter (in other words one line top and bottom, and roughly a 1/2 word on each side). Anyone questioning whether peripheral vision is tracked effectively, then dismissing an entire technology because of its relative effectiveness to do so, is omitting a fact that peripheral vision is low resolution. Which is a direct result of users eyes constantly focusing on what falls within the high resolution [scan] area of the fovea. With that said peripheral vision (is and) should be taken into account by researchers, because it does play a role in–influencing gaze patterns and fixations. Even as I write this I do not see how such an admission would invalidate what eye tracking can do, or make it equal to what psychics do. Instead it challenges usability experts to break open eye-tracking's usefulness as a tool of research (some are up for the task more than others).
One debate that has lasted for quite some time is the relationship between eye movement and cognitive processing. With this said, it is important to note that I have not misleadingly suggested that where a user looks reflects what as user is thinking. This is not a claim I am willing to make, as it has been a worthwhile and largely contested area of research whereby many theories avail. Hanif O'Neil Media Technician | Analyst Skype: rawintellect Office: +1 (415) 508 4116 Mobile: +1 (267) 879 9830 http://www.linkedin.com/in/honeil ________________________________________________________________ *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
