Eye-Tracking in Reading Research
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: : Eye-tracking methods have become a valuable tool for reading research, as they provide significant evidence on the behavioral and cognitive performance of developing readers. They also help identify reading behavior patterns among children with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as reading difficulties (RD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this paper, we reviewed relevant literature (73 empirical studies) from 2008 to 2023 (15 years). We documented how reading performance was measured through eye-tracking methodology among typical and atypical readers across various languages. To ensure a rigorous and transparent review, we adhered to the PRISMA framework, defined keywords, established inclusion and exclusion criteria, conducted data extraction, and employed a multi-phase selection process. We focused on research samples, stimulus designs, independent variables, eye-tracking systems, and metrics. The results indicated that research involving typically developing children mainly included participants from primary school and employed various eye-tracking methods, with English being the most studied language. Studies on children with RD and ADHD varied significantly in participants’ sample sizes, languages, and experimental designs. The discussion emphasizes the need for standardized data-collection procedures to enhance the reliability and comparability of findings, thereby supporting the development of effective interventions and instructional methods for reading difficulties.
Source: European Psychologist
Authors: Timothy C. Papadopoulos, Argyro Fella, Cengiz Acartürk, Ekrem Bahçekapılı, Kimete Canaj, Kristina Cergol, Nazik Dinçtopal Deniz, Nora Hollenstein, Gordana Hržica, Marija Jozipović, Ramunė Kasperė, Dorota Klimek-Jankowska, Hanne B. Søndergaard Knudsen, Julia Krebs, Izabela Krejtz, Magda Leszko, Marta Łockiewicz, Jurgita Motiejūnienė, Ayşegül Özkan, Marijan Palmović, Paula Luegi, Ana Matić Škorić, Belgüzar Nilay Türkan, Funda Yildirim, Duygun Erol Barkana
Institutions: University of Cyprus, University of Nicosia, Jagiellonian University, Karadeniz Technical University, Universiteti i Gjakovës “Fehmi Agani”, University of Zagreb, Boğaziçi University, Kaunas University of Technology, University of Wrocław, Aalborg University, University of Salzburg, Uniwersytet SWPS, University of Gdańsk, Başkent University, University of Lisbon, Pamukkale University, University of Twente, Yeditepe University
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7147215280