Introductory Training in Eye-Tracking Methodology
The study of eye movements is essential in cognitive research, as it provides valuable information about individuals' attentional, memory, and emotional processes. Eye-tracking techniques allow us to obtain precise data about where participants move their eyes and where they fixate, making it possible to analyze visual behavior in controlled experimental settings and everyday situations. Eye-tracking methods are of great importance in fields such as education, psychology, neuroscience, applied linguistics, and human-computer interface design, among others.
This continuing education program aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of eye-tracking and pupillometry techniques as well as their application in various fields of experimental and applied research. This course is designed for professionals and academics interested in studying human cognition eye-tracking and eye-movement analysis, offering both theoretical background and practical information for using eye-tracking devices and analyzing the data obtained.
Curriculum 4 ECTS
Block 1: Theoretical Foundations of Eye-Tracking and Pupillometry 1 ECTS
This block will focus on establishing the theoretical foundations necessary to understand eye-tracking and pupillometry. It will address the neurocognitive principles underlying eye movements and their relationship with cognitive processes such as attention and memory. Participants will explore the anatomy of the eye and the different types of eye movements, such as saccades and fixations, in addition to variations in pupil diameter. This knowledge will allow students to understand how and why these movements occur and how they can be interpreted in terms of cognitive activity.
- Introduction to Oculomotor Behavior and its Neurocognitive Bases
- Anatomy of the Eye and Types of Eye Movements
- Physiological and Cognitive Foundations of Eye-Tracking and Pupillometry
Block 2: Devices and Techniques for Recording Eye Movements 1 ECTS
In this block, participants will be familiarized with the different devices and techniques used for recording eye movements. We will discuss and compare the capabilities and use cases of mobile, desktop, and virtual reality glasses-integrated eye-tracking systems. In addition, we will explain how to configure and calibrate these devices in order to obtain accurate and reliable data. Students will acquire basic concepts about the key components of eye-tracking systems, such as high-speed cameras and infrared light sources, and how these technologies allow the recording of eye movements with high precision.
- Types of Eye-Tracking Systems (Mobile, Desktop, VR-integrated)
- Configuration and Calibration of Eye-Tracking Devices
- Operation and Components of Eye-Tracking Systems
Block 3: Recording and Analysis of Eye Movement Data 1 ECTS
This block will focus on methodologies for recording and analyzing data obtained through eye-tracking. Participants will learn how to perform accurate recordings and apply data processing techniques, visual inspection, and event detection. Methods for evaluating and improving data quality will be explored, ensuring their accuracy and precision. In addition, it will be taught how to generate visual representations and quantitative measures of eye-tracking data based on data already collected in real research, allowing a detailed and rigorous analysis of eye movement patterns in different experimental contexts.
- Data Processing and Visual Inspection Techniques
- Event Detection and Image Analysis
- Accuracy and Precision Measures in Eye Movement Recording
Block 4: Practical Applications and Case Studies 1 ECTS
The final block will be devoted to the practical application of the acquired knowledge and the analysis of case studies. Participants will explore how eye-tracking is used in research on reading processes, social interaction, and human-computer interface design. Examples of current research will be reviewed, and it will be discussed how eye-tracking can be integrated with other neuroscientific techniques to obtain a more complete understanding of cognitive behavior. This block will allow students to apply their skills in real projects, facilitating the development of new research and practical applications in their respective fields.
- Practical Case Studies in Various Experimental Contexts
- Applications of Eye-Tracking in Research of Reading Processes, Social Interaction, and Interface Design
- Integration of Eye-Tracking with Other Neuroscientific Techniques
Professors
Dr. Bernhard Angele
Profesor
Professor
Experto en psicología cognitiva. Tiene un máster y un doctorado en psicología de la Universidad de California San Diego y una licenciatura en psicología (Diplom-Psychologe, Universität Potsdam, Alemania). Después de obtener su doctorado, trabajó en la Universidad de Bournemouth, Reino Unido, durante 10 años. Sus intereses de investigación se centran principalmente en los movimientos oculares durante la lectura en adultos hábiles y el procesamiento del lenguaje. En concreto, ha estudiado el papel que juega el preprocesamiento parafoveal en la lectura. Su docencia se centra en la psicología cognitiva y los métodos cuantitativos de investigación y estadística. Ahora es investigador principal del Centro de Investigación Nebrija en Cognición (CINC). Enseña metodología de investigación en el nivel de maestría e imparte seminarios al nivel de doctorado.
Expert in cognitive psychology. He has a master's and a doctorate in psychology from the University of California San Diego and a degree in psychology (Diplom-Psychologe, Universität Potsdam, Germany). After obtaining his doctorate, he worked at the University of Bournemouth, UK, for 10 years. His research interests mainly focus on eye movements during reading in skilled adults and language processing. Specifically, he has studied the role that parafoveal preprocessing plays in reading. His teaching focuses on cognitive psychology and quantitative research and statistical methods. He is now a principal investigator at the Nebrija Research Center in Cognition (CINC). He teaches research methodology at the master's level and teaches seminars at the doctoral level.
Dra. Alice Foucart
Profesora
Professor
Experta en psicolingüística. Su investigación se centra en el procesamiento del lenguaje en primer y segundo idioma y también investiga cómo el lenguaje influye en otros aspectos cognitivos, como la toma de decisiones, el procesamiento de emociones y la cognición social. Lleva a cabo su investigación empírica utilizando metodologías conductuales y (electro-) fisiológicas, como el eye-tracker y potenciales evocados (ERPs). Tiene un doctorado de la University of Edinburgh (Reino Unido) y de la Université de Provence (Francia), un Máster en Ciencias del Lenguaje (Université de Provence, Francia, University of York, Reino Unido) y una licenciatura en inglés (Université de Lille, Francia). Trabajó sucesivamente como investigadora postdoctoral en tres instituciones del Reino Unido (Heriot-Watt University, University of Edinburgh y University of Bangor) y luego integró la Universitat Pompeu Fabra (España) antes de dirigir un proyecto Marie Sklodowska-Curie en Ghent University (Bélgica). Ahora es investigadora principal (acreditación R3) del grupo de investigación en Lingüística Aplicada a la Enseñanza de Lenguas Extranjeras (LAELE) en la Facultad de Lenguas y Educación, y del Centro de Investigación Nebrija en Cognición (CINC) de la Universidad Nebrija. Enseña Lingüística (francesa), Psicología, Neurociencia en los niveles de licenciatura y maestría e imparte seminarios al nivel de doctorado.
Expert in psycholinguistics. Her research focuses on language processing in the first and second language, and she also investigates how language influences other cognitive aspects, such as decision-making, emotion processing, and social cognition. She conducts her empirical research using behavioral and (electro-) physiological methodologies, such as eye-tracker and evoked potentials (ERPs). She has a PhD from the University of Edinburgh (UK) and the Université de Provence (France), a Master's in Language Sciences (Université de Provence, France, University of York, UK) and a BA in English (Université de Lille, France). She worked successively as a postdoctoral researcher at three UK institutions (Heriot-Watt University, University of Edinburgh and University of Bangor) and then joined the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Spain) before leading a Marie Sklodowska-Curie project at Ghent University (Belgium). She is now a principal investigator (R3-certified) of the research group in Applied Linguistics to Foreign Language Teaching (LAELE) at the Faculty of Languages and Education, and of the Nebrija Research Center in Cognition (CINC) of the Nebrija University. She teaches Linguistics (French), Psychology, Neuroscience at the bachelor's and master's levels and teaches seminars at the doctoral level.
More Academic Information
- 1. Participants should be in posession of an official bachelor's, diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate degree related to the areas of Health Sciences, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Linguistics, Education, Economics and Business, Physical Activity and Sports, or similar.
- 2. Participants should have a B2 level of English or higher.
