Using Eye Tracking to Explore Differences in Map-Based Spatial Ability between Geographers and Non-Geographers

Abstract

In this article, we use eye-tracking methods to analyze the differences in spatial ability between geographers and non-geographers regarding topographic maps, as reflected in the following three aspects: map-based spatial localization, map-based spatial orientation, and map-based spatial visualization. We recruited 32 students from Beijing Normal University (BNU) and divided them into groups of geographers and non-geographers based on their major. In terms of their spatial localization ability, geographers had shorter response times, higher fixation frequencies, and fewer saccades than non-geographers, and the differences were significant. For their spatial orientation ability, compared to non-geographers, geographers had significantly lower response times, lower fixation counts and fewer saccades as well as significantly higher fixation frequencies. In terms of their spatial visualization ability, geographers’ response times were significantly shorter than those of non-geographers, but there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of fixation count, fixation frequency or saccade count. We also found that compared to geographers, non-geographers usually spent more time completing these tasks. The results of this study are helpful in improving the map-based spatial ability of users of topographic maps.

What Went Wrong for Bad Solvers during Thematic Map Analysis? Lessons Learned from an Eye-Tracking Study

“…Moreover, contrary to some of the previous studies (e.g., [5,38]) it was found that on average successful participants needed more time to solve some of the analyzed tasks. Notwithstanding, this slow task solving is not a feature of inexperienced behavior or inefficient strategy, as it is attributable to their endeavor to solve the task correctly.…”

“…In addition, even participants who did not work with the scale bar during tasks related to distance estimation can be identified. This outcome is consistent with the results of previous empirical studies (e.g., [16,38,75,76]). Moreover, it is grounded in the novice-expert paradigm as this difference is an implication of the theory of information reduction [33].…”

“…For instance, when analyzing wayfinding strategies [35], expert participants in the sport of orienteering were selected. Whereas Ooms et al [5], when examining visual searching on dynamic and interactive maps, included employees from the Department of Geography, who held at least a master's degree in geography or geomatics, in the group of experts; hence they referred to their educational background and professional work (see also [7,12,19,[36][37][38]). In general, this type of expertise can be called 'top-down' expertise as it refers to the participants' previous related knowledge and experience that can be of use to them when solving testing tasks.…”

“…Related to this, it was identified that the attention of unsuccessful participants was more scattered that the attention of successful participants (see Figure 4), as the unsuccessful participants did not concentrate specifically on one or two areas only where the correct solution could be found. This can be caused, apart from the theory of information reduction, by their inability to quickly find a location they are searching for as previous studies suggest [13,16,38,75]. This inability can be a result of inefficient or no searching strategy [30,38], the limited amount of information they can process at once [30,34], and inability to extract information from widely distanced areas [5,32].…”

Using Eye Tracking to Explore the Impacts of Geography Courses on Map-based Spatial Ability

“…Based on visual and statistical analyses of eye-movement recordings, Ooms et al explored the difference in the map memorization abilities of geographers and non-geographers [40]. Dong et al used gaze series parameters (fixation count, fixation frequency) to analyse the differences between geographers and non-geographers in terms of spatial ability regarding topographic maps [15]. Thus, eye tracking is an effective way to study the differences in spatial ability before and after geography courses.…”