I understand that it's much easier to give people photos and have them click on the parts that "draw their attention", but wouldn't it have been much more compelling for the study to have people actually walk somewhere at night with eye-tracking glasses on?
I once participated in a psychology (under the literature department ironically) experiment done by my friend, for the final year project. I was told to play a video game or simulation, to click everything clickable inside the room. There are electrodes all over my head. I mean ok, just clicking things and done, easy money.
After that
Friend: So you feel guilty when you steal those things right?
Me: Wait what? Is that a thief simulator?
Also, would you as a researcher trust randoms to return the highly expensive equipment that is rented out in your name? It adds an additional element of risk. Plus, if a person is directly supervising the ownership of eye tracking glasses (ie, researcher always near participant), then wouldn’t that invalidate the reason for the study (how do people perceive area WALKING ALONE at night)?