Hotspots and Hyperlinks: Using Eye-Tracking to Supplement Usability Testing

This article discusses how eye-tracking can be used to supplement traditional usability test measures. User performance on two usability tasks with three e-commerce websites is described. Results show that eye-tracking data can be used to better understand how users initiate a search for a targeted link or web object. Frequency, duration and order of visual attention to Areas of Interest (AOIs) in particular are informative as supplemental information to standard usability testing in understanding user expectations and making design recommendations.

Russell, Mark C. Usability News (2005). Articles>Usability>Testing>Eye Tracking

Hotspots and Hyperlinks: Using Eye-Tracking to Supplement Usability Testing

This article discusses how eye-tracking can be used to supplement traditional usability test measures. User performance on two usability tasks with three e-commerce websites is described. Results show that eye-tracking data can be used to better understand how users initiate a search for a targeted link or web object. Frequency, duration and order of visual attention to Areas of Interest (AOIs) in particular are informative as supplemental information to standard usability testing in understanding user expectations and making design recommendations.

Russell, Mark C. uiGarden (2006). Articles>Usability>Testing>Eye Tracking

Reading with RSVP on a Small Screen: Does Font Size Matter?

Devices with Small Screen Interfaces (SSI), such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), are in great demand due to their small size and their many functions. One  important drawback, however, is the limited amount of real estate that can be devoted to the presentation of text. When considering this limitation, questions arise as to the best way to present electronic text so that both the quality of the reading experience and user preference is optimized.

Russell, Mark C., John Hull and Rose Wesley. Usability News (2001). Design>Web Design>Wireless Web

RSVP in Review: A Comparison of Programs for the PC and Handheld Devices

RSVP is a method of displaying text one word (or sentence) at a time in the same area of a screen. RSVP has been used as a method of teaching reading, speed reading, as well as assessing reading speed and comprehension in students and adults. At SURL, we have been interested in the use of RSVP with small-screen interfaces, such as those used on handheld devices.

Russell, Mark C. and Shannon Riley. Usability News (2003). Articles>Usability>Testing

Using Eye-Tracking Data to Understand First Impressions of a Website

This study discusses the contributions of eye-tracking data to traditional usability test measures for first-time usage of websites. Participants viewed the homepages of three different websites. Results showed that eye-movement data supplemented what users verbally reported in their reactions to a site. In particular, the eye-tracking data revealed which aspects of the website received more visual attention and in what order they were viewed.

Russell, Mark C. Usability News (2005). Design>Web Design>Usability>Eye Tracking