The Feasibility of Remote Visual-World Eye-Tracking With Young Children.

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Science
• Linguistics

Background:

• Visual-world eye-tracking is a valuable tool for assessing language processing in children.
• Transitioning to virtual platforms offers potential for reduced costs and increased participant diversity.
• Lack of standardized best practices hinders broader adoption of remote eye-tracking methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present and evaluate three approaches for implementing remote visual-world eye-tracking studies.
• To provide guidance on best practices for remote eye-tracking research with developmental populations.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of remote eye-tracking for fine-grained language processing assessment.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of nine remote visual-world eye-tracking studies across diverse populations.
• Development of strategic methods for experimental design, data collection, and analysis in non-lab settings.
• Evaluation of success based on minimal attrition, minimal track loss, replication of findings, and broadened participation.

Main Results:

• Remote visual-world eye-tracking proved highly feasible for assessing language processing in varied age groups, clinical statuses, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• The method demonstrated minimal subject attrition and track loss compared to in-person studies.
• Successful conceptual replication of previous findings was achieved, alongside evidence of broadened participation.

Conclusions:

• Internet-based visual-world eye-tracking is a viable and cost-effective method for research with young children.
• This approach facilitates broader and more diverse participant recruitment compared to traditional methods.
• The presented strategies offer a comprehensive guide for future remote eye-tracking research in developmental populations.