Comments on: Adding an extra dimension to UX with eyetracking http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/thoughts/adding_an_extra_dimension_to_ux_with_eyetracking.htm Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:49:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dan Tallis http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/thoughts/adding_an_extra_dimension_to_ux_with_eyetracking.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1016 Dan Tallis Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:18:11 +0000 http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/?p=2594#comment-1016 I agree that this video is a good introduction. And I agree with most of Susan's points too. I think one of the main traps that Eye Tracking doesn't consider is that if people are looking at something such as a piece of text or a link it is assumed that this means they are engaged with it. However, they could be focussing on this section of the page because they don't understand it. How often do you have to re-read a sentence to make sure you understand it? Their comprehension can only be assessed by asking the user questions to find out if they fully understand the text. I agree that this video is a good introduction. And I agree with most of Susan’s points too.
I think one of the main traps that Eye Tracking doesn’t consider is that if people are looking at something such as a piece of text or a link it is assumed that this means they are engaged with it. However, they could be focussing on this section of the page because they don’t understand it. How often do you have to re-read a sentence to make sure you understand it? Their comprehension can only be assessed by asking the user questions to find out if they fully understand the text.

]]> By: Bryony Thomas http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/thoughts/adding_an_extra_dimension_to_ux_with_eyetracking.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1015 Bryony Thomas Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:09:15 +0000 http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/?p=2594#comment-1015 Thanks Joe, great little introduction. We tend to work for small businesses on a tight budget. Do you think eye-tracking, or other user-testing, is a sensible investment on any size of budget? Thanks Joe, great little introduction. We tend to work for small businesses on a tight budget. Do you think eye-tracking, or other user-testing, is a sensible investment on any size of budget?

]]> By: Giles Colborne http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/thoughts/adding_an_extra_dimension_to_ux_with_eyetracking.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1012 Giles Colborne Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:44:56 +0000 http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/?p=2594#comment-1012 Hi, @susan - You make an important point for professionals: the equipment needs good research practices. I'd say 4, 5, 6 and 7 are good advice for any kind of research, not just eye tracking. Hi, @susan – You make an important point for professionals: the equipment needs good research practices. I’d say 4, 5, 6 and 7 are good advice for any kind of research, not just eye tracking.

]]> By: Joe Leech http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/thoughts/adding_an_extra_dimension_to_ux_with_eyetracking.htm/comment-page-1#comment-908 Joe Leech Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:36:27 +0000 http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/?p=2594#comment-908 @susan - those are good tips. I agree that a good eyetracking study needs the correct protocol. I've got some notes on how we do it here that I should write up. I'm not sure if I agree with Trap #5. That has been true in the past but now days the cost is no more than a standard study. @susan – those are good tips. I agree that a good eyetracking study needs the correct protocol. I’ve got some notes on how we do it here that I should write up.

I’m not sure if I agree with Trap #5. That has been true in the past but now days the cost is no more than a standard study.

]]> By: Susan Weinschenk http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/thoughts/adding_an_extra_dimension_to_ux_with_eyetracking.htm/comment-page-1#comment-853 Susan Weinschenk Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:48:09 +0000 http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/?p=2594#comment-853 Eyetracking can be useful BUT it can also be misleading. I wrote a post at my blog not too long ago about the possible traps and what to avoid. Here's a summary of that post (and also relates to a talk I gave at SES conference in Chicago and will be giving again at SES New York): Trap #1: Underestimating the effect of what you ask people to do on where they look — research shows that where people look depends on what you ask them. Trap #2: Assuming that where people are looking is what they are paying attention to – Have you ever opened the refrigerator to get the ketchup out and you can’t find it? Even though it is right in front of you? People often look at something without paying attention to it. Trap #3: Underestimating the effects of your protocols – for example, if you stop and ask them a question they will likely look away from the screen and mess up the eye tracking data collection. Trap #4: Underestimating the time needed to analyze the data Trap #5: Underestimating the time/cost to do the study Trap #6: Overwhelming people with the data Trap #7: Neglecting to draw useful, meaningful decisions and actions from the study Just some thoughts :) Eyetracking can be useful BUT it can also be misleading. I wrote a post at my blog not too long ago about the possible traps and what to avoid. Here’s a summary of that post (and also relates to a talk I gave at SES conference in Chicago and will be giving again at SES New York):

Trap #1: Underestimating the effect of what you ask people to do on where they look — research shows that where people look depends on what you ask them.

Trap #2: Assuming that where people are looking is what they are paying attention to – Have you ever opened the refrigerator to get the ketchup out and you can’t find it? Even though it is right in front of you? People often look at something without paying attention to it.

Trap #3: Underestimating the effects of your protocols – for example, if you stop and ask them a question they will likely look away from the screen and mess up the eye tracking data collection.

Trap #4: Underestimating the time needed to analyze the data

Trap #5: Underestimating the time/cost to do the study

Trap #6: Overwhelming people with the data

Trap #7: Neglecting to draw useful, meaningful decisions and actions from the study

Just some thoughts :)

]]> By: Robert http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/thoughts/adding_an_extra_dimension_to_ux_with_eyetracking.htm/comment-page-1#comment-817 Robert Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:07:47 +0000 http://www.cxpartners.co.uk/?p=2594#comment-817 Interesting concept + great video. What about other factors like screen size/res? Is there a baseline that you use? Interesting concept + great video. What about other factors like screen size/res? Is there a baseline that you use?

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