5 Must-Have Features in a one way mirror

If you are conducting qualitative market research that involves an observation room, you have probably done your research on a few different focus group facilities to host your study.

Northglass supply professional and honest service.

How do you know what market research facility is best for you? What focus group facility will best accommodate your specific observational needs?

Here are 5 things to consider when you are evaluating your options. Some are more basic than others but all provide value-adds in your choice of facility for your market research needs.

Host your next study at our Syracuse focus group facility—ideal for in-depth insights and research!

What is an Observation Room?

An observation room, oftentimes referred to as a viewing room, is used in a focus group facility for purposes of qualitative market research.

Observation rooms allow researchers and clients to sit and watch focus groups or in-depth interviews through a one-way mirror.

Observation Room at Drive Research

The Value of a Good Observation Room for Focus Groups

Overall, a good observation room for focus groups plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate data collection, fostering participant comfort and honesty, promoting collaboration, and facilitating real-time feedback and analysis.

Let’s dive into each of these key benefits a bit more.

1. Unobtrusive observation

An observation room allows researchers, clients, or stakeholders to observe the focus group discussions without being physically present in the same room.

This non-intrusive environment enables participants to express themselves freely and behave naturally, without feeling self-conscious or influenced by the observers’ presence.

2. Enhanced objectivity

With a good observation room, researchers can observe and record participants’ behaviors, facial expressions, body language, and interactions without directly participating in the discussion.

This objectivity helps in drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions based on the observed data.

3. Privacy and comfort

Because focus group discussions are not directly monitored, an observation room provides an added layer of privacy for the participants.

As a result, this type of setting encourages participants to share their honest opinions and experiences, promoting more open and authentic responses.

Moreover, the room should be comfortable, with appropriate seating arrangements and amenities, ensuring participants’ comfort and reducing distractions.

4. Efficient collaboration

By being present in the same room, researchers and clients can discuss and exchange ideas, insights, and interpretations in real time. This collaborative environment enhances the analysis process and helps in generating comprehensive and well-rounded findings.

Must-Have Observation Room Features

Feature #1: Dimmable lighting

One of the key benefits of using an observation room is that participants will feel more comfortable during a group study because researchers or observers are not sitting in the actual focus group room.

For context, a focus group usually consists of 4 to 12 participants and only 1 moderator guiding the conversation.

A viewing room with dimmable lighting means the lights can be both on and off.

When the lights are off…

When the group discussion is taking place, the lights of the observation room will be dimmed or off completely.

The low lighting allows researchers and clients to discretely watch and listen with no visibility through the one-way mirror.

When the lights are on…

Before and after the focus group, a moderator will often come back to the observation room to discuss topics, objectives, or recap the findings with the client.

In this case, the lights of the observation room are turned on. This creates an open Worksession for the client viewers without having to switch to another room with better lighting.

Feature #2: Comfort, tiered seating

Much like a movie theater, an observation room benefits from having tiered seating.

If there are multiple members of an organization looking to sit in the viewing room, it is important they are able to see the qualitative research without any obstructions. With tiered seating in an observation room, there are no bad seats.

Not only is it important to look for an observation room with tiered seating, but comfortable chairs as well.

Focus groups can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours – and that is only for one group.

Our focus group company recommends hosting two separate group discussions in one evening. The second group acts as a gut check to verify the findings from the first group.

While having two group discussions is beneficial, this also means you will be sitting in an observation room for a lengthy amount of time.

An observational room with cushioned seating will provide maximum comfort and allow for your full attention throughout both focus group discussions.

Feature #3: Accessibility to high-speed Wi-Fi

If you are looking to rent a focus group facility, it is important to know what available technology and equipment you will have access to in an observation room.

Does the viewing room include free high-speed internet?

What about available outlets to charge client laptops or phones?

We understand your business doesn’t stop while market research of any kind is being conducted.

While these features might seem small at the time, they will be largely missed if you do not have access to Wi-Fi or a charging station for several hours.

Keeping small requirements in mind will help toward an optimal viewing experience.

Want more information on one way mirror? Feel free to contact us.

Feature #4: Quality speakers

Can you hear me now? Good.

An observation room should be fitted with high-quality speakers for clients to clearly hear and understand the participant responses in the focus group room. The speakers can also be adjusted by volume.

If clients or researchers in the observation room would like to have a quick conversation with one another while the group discussion is taking place, the volume of the speaker can be lowered or muted to sound out the participants.

Don’t be worried about missing a vital piece of information while the group discussion is muted.

A focus group facility room will be equipped with a camera and other audio devices so the qualitative research can be recorded.

At the end of the group discussion, you will likely receive a USB with the recorded focus group to take back to the office and re-watch as many times as you’d like.

Feature #5: Food and beverage

Wine, beer, chips, chocolate…am I starting to speak your language?

Because focus groups are longer than most types of market research methodologies, look for a focus group facility that provides snacks and drinks in their client observation room.

While some facilities may only offer the standard coffee and water, it is not uncommon to find a focus group company that will have a dedicated client beverage refrigerator to chill drinks (with and without alcohol) and snacks.

Our market research company hopily offers our clients a wide variety of snacks and drinks in our observation room.

What can we say? We’re not just your run-of-the-mill focus group facility, we want you to enjoy yourself.

We realize those flights or drives can create a long day. Sometimes an adult beverage or hot coffee can make the experience more fulfilling at our focus group facility in Syracuse.

Observation Room Example

Take a virtual tour of our focus group facility at Drive Research to see the key features of our observation room.

Our Syracuse, New York facility includes a state-of-the-art client observation room. For a full tour of the facility watch the video below. Skip to 3:30 for a tour of our observation room.

Contact Our Focus Group Facility in Syracuse

Interested in learning more about the Drive Research focus group facility? Contact our team below for more information.

We can assist with specific pieces of your qualitative research recruit and rental as well as assist your team with the entire project management, including moderation and reporting.

We can help!

Glass is one element that may turn simple structural concepts into sleek, attractive, and sophisticated works of art. The adaptability of glass can bring so many variations to your designs. Numerous glass types are available that can meet all your architectural requirements.
Glass has undergone numerous alterations as technology has advanced. You can now have this material custom-processed to meet your specifications. This has increased the sturdiness and efficacy of our designs.

One-way glass is a prime example of such innovation in glass solutions.

WHAT IS ONE WAY GLASS?

One way glass is also called a two-way mirror glass or a half-silvered mirror glass. One way glass is a kind of glass that is transparent on one side and reflective on the other, unlike standard glass, which is transparent on both sides. A thin, almost transparent metallic coating is applied on the surface one of the glass surfaces. This enables more light to penetrate through the coated surface as compared to the little amount of light that it reflects.

However, to work efficiently, one side of the mirror requires twice the amount of light that the other side is receiving. In this way, the darkened side can see through the brightly lit side but not vice-versa. This is also a reason because of which the glass is called one way glass. For those on the bright side of the glass, it is like any other mirror glass, but for those on the darker side, one way glass acts like a transparent glass.

HOW IS ONE WAY GLASS MADE?

The one-way glass features a thin metallic reflective coating that is applied on one of the glass surfaces. The reflective molecules in the coating make it half opaque. The half-silvered surface reflects about half of the light that strikes its surface and lets the other half pass through. Therefore, you can see through the glass only if you are in a dark room else you will see your reflection. Moreover, you can check if a mirror is a one-way mirror by placing your finger against the reflective surface. If there is no gap between your finger and the reflected image, then it’s a one-way mirror. This process of creating one-way glass is an example of how glass is made with specialized coatings for specific functions. One of the benefits of one way glass is its ability to maintain privacy while allowing visibility from the darker side.

ONE-WAY GLASS VARIETIES

TINTED GLASS

This glass has a layer or coating that limits light transmission through it. The coating thickness is adjustable and can be tailored to your specifications. The covering blocks damaging UV radiation while also controlling solar glare. 

Tinted glasses may absorb 30-40% of the solar heat and provide thermal comfort. It also shields against glare and is available in various color styles. 

THE USE OF ONE-WAY GLASS

As shown below, one-way glass has an extensive list of applications.

1. PRIVACY IS IMPORTANT

Large window glass dominate modern designs. And privacy is frequently compromised when your home has extensive glass windows.
The one-way glass will let you balance privacy concerns without sacrificing the pleasures of fresh air, sunlight, and ventilation. Because one side of the glass is a mirror, the half-silvered side may be applied to the exterior. Outsiders cannot see inside, whereas you will have a good view of the world outside. One-way glass windows are ideal for one-way viewing.

2. GLASS PARTITIONS

More efforts are being made in modern interior designs to instill an atmosphere of spaciousness. Using one-way glass for cabin dividers or walls is a fantastic approach to enhancing openness while providing a broad perspective of what exists across the glass partition. This allows you to follow activities in your office environment without making your staff aware.

3. GLASS SLIDING DOORS

Designers and architects utilize glass sliding doors that open directly to a garden or patio to create a sense of extension. Sliding glass doors with one-way glass are ideal for this. You will get plenty of light without having to expose your living space.

WHY OPT FOR ONE WAY GLASS?

Tinted or one way glass comes in different shades but that’s not the only reason it has found a wide application in modern architecture. Here’s why investing in one way glass can prove to be beneficial.

1. MULTIPLE SHADES

One way glass can also be coated to be used as tinted glasses. It not only retains the properties of one-way glass but also adds a splash of colour which can brighten up the space with minimal effort.

2. PRIVACY

The most obvious yet important advantage is that you can get much needed privacy by investing in one-way glasses. Be it conference rooms, windows, wall panels or cabins, one way glass gives you the opportunity to admire the view outside without compromising your privacy.

3. SUITABLE FOR ALL CLIMATES

One way glass can withstand all kinds of climates and if purchased from a trusted glass manufacturing company, it can last more than 5 years. It does not break down easily and helps regulate the temperatures to a certain extent during summer and winter.

4. IMPROVED SECURITY

This anti-sun and tough glass provide extra security by not only deterring intruders from entering your house but also making it harder for them to see inside. It can be used in places where information must remain confidential. This makes it ideal for conference rooms, cabins and spaces which need an additional layer of security.

5. ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Now, this is quite interesting! Yes, the one-way glass provides a perfect solution to discern a considerable saving on your electricity bills. One way glass manufacturing process has significantly improved in the past few years which contributes to this property. With this half-silvered glass, you don’t need to cut down on your usage much. And you can save each month on electricity bills. It works by lowering the heat gain and traps heated or cooled air. Moreover, it is one of the most affordable ways to get energy efficiency for your home.

6. SUN PROTECTION

Sun rays are harmful and can be deadly for those susceptible to skin cancers. This glass not only provides protection but also safeguards your health. While sitting by a window there is a 100% chance of getting exposed to UV radiation, it’s tough coating can be your saviour. It can reduce ultraviolet radiation by 99%. It acts as an invisible barrier between you and the harmful rays. Thus, they provide essential protection for you and your family.

7. LOW MAINTENANCE

If you are someone who doesn’t like to spend a lot of time maintaining windows around the house, then this property of one-way glass can prove to be a boon! This glass can be a good alternative as it is extremely easy to clean and maintain. Also, its durable, water and scratch-resistant properties make the cleaning process more convenient and comfortable. Therefore, by investing in this tinted glass, you can save time, effort, and money.

CONCLUSION

One-way glass is an excellent choice for security and privacy. There is, however, a vast range of glass to pick from. Before you decide, determine which glass will complement your style of architecture.

The company is the world’s best triple glazed glass supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.