A Scoping Review of Eye-Tracking Studies on the Usability Evaluation of Interactive Geovisualisations
Contribution
Integrates cartography, human–computer interaction, and visual attention research by linking usability evaluation, interactive map design, and eye-movement analysis within a single analytical structure.
Defines a domain-specific classification of interactive geovisualisation stimuli (2D maps, 3D environments, GIS platforms, mobile interfaces, immersive VR, and absent AR cases) and relates each category to observed usability and attention patterns.
Organizes task types in spatial usability experiments—navigation, search, exploration, analysis, comparison, planning, memory, and scenario-based workflows—and connects them to distinct cognitive and interaction demands.
Documents dominant analytical practices in gaze-based usability research, showing reliance on fixation metrics, static AOIs, and heatmaps, with limited use of trajectory analysis, dynamic regions, and multimodal data.
Identifies recurring methodological constraints—homogeneous participant samples, short laboratory sessions, inconsistent demographic reporting, and weak usability standardization—that restrict cross-study comparison and generalization.
Traces the shift from desktop-based 2D experiments to mobile and immersive environments, showing how hardware changes affect research scope, analytical precision, and ecological validity.
Publication properties
Citation
Vanicek, T., Vojtechovska, M., & Popelka, S. (2026). A scoping review of eye-tracking studies on the usability evaluation of interactive geovisualisations. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2026.2618556
Authors
T. Vanicek, M. Vojtechovska, S. Popelka
Year
2026
Journal
International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction
Language
EN
Abstract
Questions addressed
Q: What qualifies as an interactive geovisualisation in usability research?
A: Interactive geovisualisations are digital spatial interfaces that allow users to manipulate maps through functions such as zooming, panning, filtering, layer control, and object selection. Such systems support user-driven exploration and task-oriented spatial analysis.
Q: Which eye-tracking metrics are most commonly used to evaluate interactive maps?
A: The most frequently used metrics are fixation count and duration, scanpaths, Areas of Interest, Time to First Fixation, and saccadic measures. Heatmaps and gaze distribution visualizations are commonly applied to summarize attention patterns.
Q: Why is eye-tracking analysis difficult in dynamic geovisualisation environments?
A: Interactive maps continuously change scale, content, and layout, which complicates stable definition of analytical regions. Individual interaction paths often require manual alignment and annotation, increasing analytical effort.
Q: What types of tasks are typically used in usability evaluation of geovisualisations?
A: Common task categories include navigation, focused search, free exploration, analytical interpretation, comparison, planning, and memory-based orientation. Task selection determines which cognitive and interaction processes are examined.
Q: How are participant samples usually structured in eye-tracking studies of interactive maps?
A: Most studies rely on small to medium laboratory samples, commonly composed of university students or domain specialists. Demographic diversity and long-term participation are limited and inconsistently reported.
Q: How is eye-tracking typically combined with other usability evaluation methods?
A: Eye-tracking is frequently combined with interaction logging, quantitative analysis, and task performance measures such as completion time and success rate. Standardized questionnaires such as SUS and NASA-TLX are used in only a small minority of studies.