Simplified Eye Tracking Enhances Problem Understanding and Solution Discovery in Usability Testing

Abstract

Identifying problems and generating recommendations for product user interface redesign are primary goals of usability testing. Typical methods seem inadequate for the deep understanding of usability problems needed for developing effective solutions. Sporadically over the past 50 years, usability teams have tracked user eye movements to achieve this deeper understanding, but high cost and complexity have prevented the widespread use of this technology. We investigated whether simplified eye tracking techniques, in combination with traditional usability testing methods, could enhance problem discovery and understanding. These techniques included: using a video-based eye tracking system, tracking only a few participants, and encoding gaze durations (not individual fixations) on only a few areas of interest. For each of three interface versions, we studied twelve participants with traditional usability testing techniques and eye tracked just two. Eye tracking yielded discovery of additional usability problems and detailed characterizations which led to more focused and appropriate solutions.