The Role of Eye Tracking in UX Research: A Meta-Analytical Review of Usability Studies

Abstract

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) has grown in importance as digital systems have become integral to daily life, increasing the need for interfaces that support a positive user experience (UX). Eye tracking has therefore become an important methodological approach in UX research, as visual information processing plays a central role in users' interactions with software. It provides detailed insight into attention patterns and user strategies during task completion, thereby enabling a more precise evaluation of how interface elements support or hinder efficient interaction. The theoretical section of this article presents the evolution and major milestones of eye-tracking technology, with a focus on its applications and evaluation possibilities within HCI (including heatmaps, scan path visualisations, and related quantitative indicators). The empirical section offers a meta-analysis of previous case studies to demonstrate the applicability of desktop-based eye tracking in assessing both general-purpose and UX-specific software. This article provides practical guidance for those intending to use desktop eye tracking, outlining the technology’s advantages and limitations to support future researchers and UX professionals.