Best practices in eye tracking research
Abstract
This guide describes best practices in using eye tracking technology for research in a variety of disciplines. A basic outline of the anatomy and physiology of the eyes and of eye movements is provided, along with a description of the sorts of research questions eye tracking can address. We then explain how eye tracking technology works and what sorts of data it generates, and provide guidance on how to select and use an eye tracker as well as selecting appropriate eye tracking measures. Challenges to the validity of eye tracking studies are described, along with recommendations for overcoming these challenges. We then outline correct reporting standards for eye tracking studies.
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All eye-tracking sessions were conducted under stable lighting conditions with screen resolution and display scaling held constant.
“All sessions were conducted under stable lighting conditions, with the screen resolution and display scaling held constant (Carter and Luke, 2020; Orquin and Holmqvist, 2018).”
From Responsible use of generative AI in Chinese vocational education: eye-tracking evidence on source verification and immediate near-transfer across three information-seeking conditions (2026) · cites this paper as Carter and Luke, 2020
Cites
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Motor actions across psychiatric disorders: a research domain criteria (RDoC) perspective
Osborne, K. J., Walther, S., & Mittal, V. A. (2024) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102511 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Dupont, F., Oliva, F., Pitois, L., Chagnon, M., DeFátima Guimarães, R., & Mathieu, M.-E. (2025) · Journal of American College Health · doi:10.1080/07448481.2024.2427065 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Carter, B. T., & Luke, S. G.
- Affiliations
- Brigham Young University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Luke, Steven G.
- Venue
- International Journal of Psychophysiology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-09
- Volume
- 155
- Pages
- 49-62
- ISSN
- 0167-8760 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3033365660
- Cited by
- 659
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 126 · 2025: 156 · 2024: 157 · 2023: 108 · 2022: 65 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 3 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 5.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Psychophysiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Gaze Tracking and Assistive Technology
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Visual Attention and Saliency Detection
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Keywords
- eye tracking, eye movements, eye anatomy and physiology, reporting guidelines, research best practices
- MeSH terms
- Eye-Tracking Technology, Eye Movements, Humans
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