Using Eye-tracking To Investigate The Effect of Gaze Co-occurrence and Distribution on Collaborative Performance

How important is it to look together compared to looking apart’ In collaborative problem-solving tasks, there is a mixed opinion about the relationship between gaze behaviours and task performance. In this light, studies exploring gaze behaviours in socio-dyadic contexts report a positive effect on performance. Contrastingly, work teams and tactical scenarios with complex problems have reported a negative effect on performance. Solely, focusing on group problem-solving in natural settings, this study investigates the collective effects of gaze co-occurring and distribution of gaze on performance. A3-member cooperative task resembling a computer-supported collaborative working environment is chosen for this investigation. Seventeen teams participated in this study, and their eye movements were captured using eye-tracking devices. Methods to quantity gaze behaviours co-occurrence and distribution for 3-member teams is introduced. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyse the relationships. The study presents a multivariate regression equation to achieve a composite index that combines measures from both gaze co-occurring and distribution. Results demonstrated both gaze behaviours and the composite index shared a significant relationship with performance.