Considerations for using eye trackers during usability studies

Abstract

The purpose of this usability study was to see if eye trackers collect valid data, regardless of the user's method of corrected vision, eye color, or gender. The motivation to explore the idea that these human factors can distort eye trackers is based on marketing claims by several companies that say these factors should not affect results. This study found that the validity of data in usability studies that involved eye trackers in testing can produce biased results based on eyewear and eye color, and that adjustments should be made to control for these variables. The results showed no significant correlations based on gender. As a consideration into developing international signage for mass transportation systems that effectively accommodate global users, this study also explored how first language affects the way in which a user views and organizes a message and hence interprets procedural directions and related imagery. This is within the context of usability testing for a wide variety of users who may not share a first language or have the same method of vision correction. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.