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. 2024 Apr;56(4):3380-3395.
doi: 10.3758/s13428-024-02343-1. Epub 2024 Feb 12.

eyeScrollR: A software method for reproducible mapping of eye-tracking data from scrollable web pages

Nathanael Larigaldie  1 , Anna Dreneva  2 , Jacob L Orquin  2   3
Affiliations

eyeScrollR: A software method for reproducible mapping of eye-tracking data from scrollable web pages

Nathanael Larigaldie et al. Behav Res Methods. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

The Internet has become an important part of our lives and an increasing number of researchers use eye-tracking technology to examine attention and behavior in online environments. Researchers, however, face a significant challenge in mapping eye-tracking data from scrollable web pages. We describe the R package eyeScrollR for mapping eye-tracking data from scrollable content such as web pages. The package re-maps eye-tracking gaze coordinates to full-page coordinates with a deterministic algorithm based on mouse scroll data. The package includes options for handling common situations, such as sticky menus or ads that remain visible when the user scrolls. We test the package's validity in different hardware and software settings and on different web pages and show that it is highly accurate when tested against manual coding. Compared to current methods, eyeScrollR provides a more reproducible and reliable approach for mapping eye-tracking data from scrollable web pages. With its open code and free availability, we recommend eyeScrollR as an essential tool for eye-tracking researchers, particularly those who adhere to open-science principles. The eyeScrollR package offers a valuable contribution to the field of eye-tracking research, facilitating accurate and standardized analysis of eye-tracking data in web scrolling contexts.

Keywords: Eye tracking; Gaze mapping; Open source; Scrollable web pages; Software.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The typical seven steps of workflow when using the eyeScrollR package. Steps 5 and 7 are optional
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Three rectangular fixed areas on the screen (left) are specified, and redirected to the full-page image (right)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Violin and box plot of Euclidean distances between eyeScrollR mappings and manual coding by web page (a) and study setting (b). Distances larger than 3 pixels (eight data points out of 479) are excluded for readability
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A) Two rectangular fixed areas on the screen (left) are specified, and redirected to the full-page image (right). B) 3D array representing the bundle containing these two fixed areas. Rows are x and y values from the top left and bottom right pixels. The first column represents the coordinates of the fixed area on the screen, and the second column the coordinates of the fixed area on the full-page image. Each layer (left and right) represents a fixed area specification, with the coordinates of the redirection from the screen to the full-page image
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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