TRAKTEXT: Investigating writing processes using eye-tracking technology

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to provide a brief review of existing writing research methodologies, describe a new methodology in the investigation of writing, and demonstrate how this new methodology can be used in a pilot study to investigate the use of writing during problem solving. Our new methodology, TRAKTEXT, makes use of eye-tracking technology, which provides continuous measures of processing time, attention, and effort; does not disrupt the writer from the main task; produces data reflecting attentional shifts in periods of time as short as 100 milliseconds; can pinpoint text production or revision at the word level; and provides a more natural way of examining writing behaviors. In our exploratory study, we identified six unique writing behaviors. Results from the pilot study showed that writers who experienced a change in knowledge during problem solving demonstrated different writing behaviors from writers who did not experience a change in knowledge. Although TRAKTEXT provides several advantages over existing writing research methodologies, there are some components of writing (e.g. planning) that must be inferred from processing time and cognitive effort measures. Future iterations of TRAKTEXT may resolve these issues.