Mouse tracking

Mouse tracking

Mouse tracking refers to the process of using software to collect data on a user's interaction with an interface, focusing on the movement and clicks of the mouse. This method is a cost-effective and non-invasive way to monitor user behavior and identify emotional and cognitive states during online desktop or laptop interactions.From: Human Factors Methods [2017], Mouse tracking and consumer experience: exploring the associations between mouse movements, consumer emotions, brand awareness and purchase intent [2023]

Data Collection Methods

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Purchase Book

Published in Neville A. Stanton, Paul M. Salmon, Laura A. Rafferty, Guy H. Walker, Chris Baber, Daniel P. Jenkins, Human Factors Methods, 2017

Neville A. Stanton, Paul M. Salmon, Laura A. Rafferty, Guy H. Walker, Chris Baber, Daniel P. Jenkins

Mouse tracking involves the utilisation of software to capture data relating to a user’s interaction with an interface, specifically based upon mouse movement and mouse clicks (Arroyo, Selker and Wei, 2006; Atterer, Wnuk and Schmidt, 2006). A user’s interaction with the interface is clearly presented through the use of a heat map to illustrate areas of high- and low-frequency mouse travel. The software also provides a summary table representing all mouse movements and clicks that occurred during the task scenario.

Mouse tracking and consumer experience: exploring the associations between mouse movements, consumer emotions, brand awareness and purchase intent

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Journal Information

Published in Behaviour & Information Technology, 2023

Maria Liakou-Zarda, Katerina Tzafilkou

Overall, mouse tracking can be used by designers to understand negative emotional reactions and make system adjustments to improve user experience. Additionally, mouse movements such as scroll, and hover actions can infer user preferences, attention, intent, examination, relevance, and engagement within content. Academic emotions like self-confidence, excitement, frustration, and interest can be predicted by supplementing brain wave data with mouse click behaviour. Remote user studies can also be conducted using mouse tracking, which is especially relevant during the pandemic. Mouse tracking is a useful, unobtrusive, and inexpensive way to track user behaviour and detect emotional and cognitive states in online desktop or laptop interactions.

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Data Collection Methods

Mouse tracking and consumer experience: exploring the associations between mouse movements, consumer emotions, brand awareness and purchase intent