Eye-tracking in behavioural sciences: a bibliometric analysis on research trends between 2015 - 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31117/neuroscirn.v8i4.393Keywords:
Eye-tracking, Behavioural sciences, Bibliometric analysis, Research trends, Thematic areasAbstract
Eye-tracking technology is one of the fundamental tools in scientific research. Eye-tracking data can provide detailed insights into visual attention, perception, and other cognitive processes. This bibliometric analysis aims to systematically review the state-of-the-art of eye-tracking studies in the behavioural sciences, identify emerging research trends and thematic areas, and uncover future research directions. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using the SCOPUS database. The search strategy included keywords related to eye-tracking. The retrieved articles were analysed for publication trends, co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrences, and thematic evolution over time. The analysis identified 5,825 relevant articles published between 2015 and 2024. The state-of-the-art of this area of study in behavioural sciences reveals a substantial increase in publications over the past decade. Research trends and thematic analysis highlight seven key areas of study, in particular: (1) driving behaviour; (2) social cognition; (3) cognitive ageing; (4) language processing; (5) visual cognition; (6) cognitive processes; and (7) electroencephalography (EEG). For future work, the analysis suggests promising research avenues, including the application of eye-tracking in virtual reality environments, longitudinal studies of attentional development, and interdisciplinary approaches combining eye-tracking with machine learning techniques. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of eye-tracking research in behavioural sciences. The findings emphasise the versatility of eye-tracking as a methodological tool and highlight key areas for future investigation. By identifying emerging trends and suggesting new research directions, this study contributes to the ongoing development of eye-tracking methodologies in behavioural research.
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