Eye tracking-based behavioral study of users using e-voting systems

Abstract

In recent years, a set of usability requirements for e-voting systems have been put into place. However, there is not a coherent perception of the exact content and scope of these requirements as yet. Various e-voting applications have been created with this very purpose, but they have not been totally effective due to their ease of usability. In order to find out what the critical issues are regarding usability for these types of applications, this paper carries out a study based on the user's behavior while using two e-voting systems applications. This study has been carried out using the eye tracking technique through which it was possible to identify two problematic areas that affect their ease of use. With this technique, a visual tracking of the user's eyes is done in order to analyze qualitatively (gaze and heat maps) and quantitatively (statistical) the different tasks that must be performed by the user. The results show that the applications have issues displaying non-relevant information as well as an absence in the system of specific steps in order to complete the process of voting successfully and avoid user mistakes. According to the above, the perception about the security of the system increases if the information included is clearer and understandable to the user.