Sensory Evaluation Techniques

Gail Vance Civille is president of Sensory Spectrum, Inc., a management consulting firm involved in the sensory evaluation of foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, paper, fabrics, personal care, and other consumer products. She has trained several flavor and texture descriptive profile panels in her work with industry, universities, and government. She has also conducted several workshops and courses in basic sensory evaluation methods as well as in advanced methods and theory. She is a founding member and former chair of the Society of Sensory Professionals, and has published several articles on general sensory methods as well as sophisticated descriptive flavor and texture techniques. B. Thomas Carr is principal of Carr Consulting, a research consulting firm that provides project management, product evaluation, and statistical support services to the food, beverage, personal care, and home care industries. He has over 30 years of experience in applying statistical techniques to all phases of research on consumer products. He is a member of the US delegation to the ISO TC34/SC12, is involved in the statistical training of scientists, and has been invited by several professional organizations to speak on topics of statistical methods and statistical consulting in industry.

Introduction to Sensory Techniques
Introduction
Development of Sensory Testing
Human Subjects as Instruments
Conducting a Sensory Study
References

Sensory Attributes and the Way We Perceive Them
Introduction
Sensory Attributes
Human Senses
Perception at Threshold and Above
References

Controls for Test Room, Products, and Panel
Introduction
Environmental Controls
Product Controls
Panelist Controls
References

Factors Influencing Sensory Verdicts
Introduction
Physiological Factors
Psychological Factors
Poor Physical Condition
References

Measuring Responses
Introduction
Psychophysical Theory
Classification
Grading
Ranking
Scaling
References

Guidelines for Choice of Technique
Introduction
Define the Project Objective
Define the Test Objective
Integrate Project Objective and Test Objectives to Construct Test Design
Reference

Overall Difference Tests: Does a Sensory Difference Exist between Samples?
Introduction
Unified Approach to Difference and Similarity Testing
Triangle Test
Duo–Trio Test
Two-out-of-Five Test
Same/Different Test (or Simple Difference Test)
"A"–"Not A" Test
Difference-from-Control Test
Sequential Tests
References

Attribute Difference Tests: How Does Attribute X Differ between Samples?
Introduction: Paired Comparison Designs
Directional Difference Test: Comparing Two Samples
Specified Method of Tetrads: Comparing Two Samples on a Specified Attribute Using the Method of Tetrads
Pairwise Ranking Test: Friedman Analysis––Comparing Several Samples in All Possible Pairs
Introduction: Multisample Difference Tests—Block Designs
Simple Ranking Test: Friedman Analysis: Randomized (Complete) Block Design
Multisample Difference Test: Rating Approach—Evaluation by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
Multisample Difference Test: BIB Ranking Test (Balanced Incomplete Block Design)—Friedman Analysis
Multisample Difference Test: BIB Rating Test—Evaluation by Analysis of Variance
References

Determining Threshold
Introduction
Definitions
Applications of Threshold Determinations
References

Selection and Training of Panel Members
Introduction
Panel Development
Selection and Training for Difference Tests
Selection and Training of Panelists for Descriptive Testing
Panel Performance and Motivation
Appendix 10.1 Prescreening Questionnaires
Appendix 10.2 Panel Leadership Advice
References

Descriptive Analysis Techniques
Definition
Field of Application
Components of Descriptive Analysis
Commonly Used Descriptive Test Methods with Trained Panels
Commonly Used Descriptive Test Methods with Untrained Panels
Application of Descriptive Analysis Panel Data
References

Spectrum™ Descriptive Analysis Method
Design of the Spectrum Descriptive Method
Myths About the Spectrum Descriptive Analysis Method
Terminology and Lexicon Development
Intensity
Combining the Spectrum Descriptive Analysis Method with Other Measures
Spectrum Descriptive Procedures for Quality Assurance, Shelf-Life Studies and So On
References
Appendix 12.1 Spectrum Terminology for Descriptive Analysis
Appendix 12.2 Spectrum Intensity Scales for Descriptive Analysis
Appendix 12.3 Streamlined Approach to Spectrum References
Appendix 12.4 Spectrum Descriptive Analysis: Product Lexicons
Appendix 12.5 Spectrum Descriptive Analysis: Examples of Full Product Descriptions
Appendix 12.6 Spectrum Descriptive Analysis Training Exercises
References

Affective Tests: Consumer Tests and In-House Panel Acceptance Tests
Purpose and Applications
The Subjects/Consumers in Affective Tests
Choice of Test Location
Affective Methods: Qualitative
Affective Methods: Quantitative
Internet Research
Using Other Sensory Methods to Uncover Insights
Appendix 13.1 Screeners for Consumer Studies—Focus Group, CLT, and Home Use Test (HUT)
Appendix 13.2 Discussion Guide—Group or One-on-One Interviews
Appendix 13.3 Questionnaires for Consumer Studies
Appendix 13.4 Protocol Design for Consumer Studies
References

Basic Statistical Methods
Introduction
Summarizing Sensory Data
Statistical Hypothesis Testing
Thurstonian Scaling
Statistical Design of Sensory Panel Studies
Appendix 14.1 Probability
References

Advanced Statistical Methods
Introduction
Data Relationships
Preference Mapping
Treatment Structure of an Experimental Design
References

Guidelines for Reporting Results
Introduction
Anatomy of the Report
Graphical Presentation of Data
Example Reports (Tables 16.2 through 16.4)
References

Sensory Evaluation in Quality Control (QC/Sensory)
Introduction
Attribute Descriptive Methods
Difference-from-Control Methods
In–Out Method
References

Advanced Consumer Research Techniques
Introduction
Front End of Innovation
Sequence Mapping
Capturing the Iconic Experience
Consumer Cocreation
Qualitative Use of Kano Methodology
Benefit Perception beyond Liking: Functional, Emotional, and Health and Wellness Benefits
Behavioral Economics
Category Appraisals, Key Drivers Studies and Sensory Segmentation
Ad Claims
Additional Resources
References

Statistical Tables

Practical Sensory Problems
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Scenario 4
Scenario 5
References
Additional Qualitative References