Using mouse cursor tracking to investigate online cognition: Preserving methodological ingenuity while moving toward...

Area of Science:

• Psychological science
• Cognitive psychology
• Human-computer interaction

Background:

• Mouse cursor tracking is a valuable tool for understanding cognitive processes across various psychological domains.
• Despite its widespread use, the methodology lacks systematic analysis and established best practices.
• Emerging research indicates experimental design features can significantly influence mouse-tracking outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the mouse-tracking literature regarding the reporting and prevalence of key methodological variables.
• To identify areas for improvement in reporting practices for mouse-tracking studies.
• To provide recommendations for establishing best practices and standardization in the field.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of mouse-tracking studies.
• Survey of reporting practices for mouse variables (e.g., cursor speed, sampling rate, training).
• Analysis of physical experimental characteristics (e.g., stimulus/response box position) and response requirements (e.g., start procedure, response deadline).

Main Results:

• Significant variability exists in the reporting of mouse-tracking methodology.
• Subtle experimental design features, such as cursor speed, are often underreported.
• Inconsistent reporting practices were found across mouse variables, physical characteristics, and response requirements.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for improved and more detailed reporting in mouse-tracking studies.
• Standardizing reporting without stifling methodological innovation is crucial for advancing the field.
• Implementing recommended best practices will enhance the reliability and comparability of mouse-tracking research.