Enhancing response quality is a major concern in survey research. Especially in self-administered questionnaires, clarification features such as definitions, examples, or instructions are often applied to prevent misinterpretation of questions, and problems with retrieving relevant information or with formatting the answer. However, previous research demonstrated the inefficiency of such information because it was likely to be ignored during the question-answer process. In the present study, eye tracking data are applied to gain in-depth understanding of an optimal positioning of clarification features. A comprehensive understanding of questions and answers requires careful reading. The recording of eye movements allows detecting which position of definitions and instructions increases the probability that respondents actually take notice of this information when reading a survey question. Furthermore, by examining the respondents’ scanpath while reading the various components of a question we are able to determine whether attentive reading of clarification features is a sufficient condition for improving response quality irrespective of the sequence in which clarification features and other components of a question are read. In a between-subjects lab experiment, respondents (N=100) are randomly assigned to either the control condition where no definition, example, or instruction is provided or to one of three experimental conditions where clarification features are provided at different positions (after the question text, before the question text, after the response options). Results are discussed in light of the general question whether differences in the responses provided can be explained by differences in eye movements and by
differential scanpaths when processing the question.