Duncan Boa

A Means to Characterise and Measure the Information Processes of Engineers Using Eye Tracking

How engineers use and process information during design has primarily been investigated using “think-aloud” studies. However, self-reporting thought process affects a task and introduces several associated biases that lead to a general lack of commensurability. Some of these issues can be addressed by using passive observation techniques, such as eye tracking, and standardised information sources to investigate information processing behaviour. Eye tracking is a powerful research tool, from which inferences about information processing can be made based on someone’s gaze. In this paper a series of fundamental information processes based on gaze, Information Operations, are characterised and evaluated in an eye tracking experiment with 42 trainee engineers. It has been demonstrated that Information Operations are distinguishable using gaze and can be used to characterise information processes of engineers. The findings and corresponding operations offer a potentially novel means for real-time support of information activities, compliance checking, and characterising information use.