This room is the distributing center of our laboratories. Through an one-way mirror, the observant personnell can observe the test persons inside the usability laboratory without themselves being seen. Furthermore, this is where all data are collected and stored.

Details

The laboratory in brief

The monitoring room is 36 m² in size and equipped with technology to record, replay and cut video material (DV). Furthermore, several computer workstations are available for data evaluation. Through an one-way mirror, the happenings inside the usability laboratory can be observed from here.

How do we work inside the monitoring room?

Up to ten observers - test leaders as well as initiators of scientific research - can watch the tests inside the usability laboratory and observe the test persons through an one-way mirror. The data obtained can directly be evaluated and processed by means of the computer workstations. In addition to the observation, the tests are recorded on video for later usage. By means of microphones and speakers the tests inside the usability laboratory can be guided.

Why a concealed observation?

In this context, the cognitive perception of the participants is important. Although they know that they are being obsered, they will be less influenced by this sort of observation. Acting directly in front of an investigator or a visible video camera might always induce a different behavior. A one-way mirror allows a close observation without the test persons feeling observed. This way, they often act more authentic and the test results they provide are likely to be more precise.