Mouse Tracking as a Method for Examining the Perception and Cognition of Digital Maps

This article aims to present the authors’ perspective regarding challenges and opportunities of mouse-tracking methodology while performing experimental research, particularly related map-reading process. We briefly describe existing metrics, visualization techniques software tools utilized for qualitative quantitative analysis mouse-movement data towards examination both perceptual cognitive issues. Moreover, we concisely report indicative examples studies in field cartography. The concludes with summarizing strengths/potential limitations, compared eye tracking. In a nutshell, mouse tracking is straightforward method, suitable real-life behaviors interactive maps, providing valuable opportunity remote experimentation; even though it not actual free-viewing behavior, can be concurrently other state-of-the-art methods.