Sensory Evaluation Services

Services:

  • Consumer taste tests
  • Consumer recruiting, screening, and scheduling
  • Screener development
  • Questionnaire/ballot development
  • Experimental design and execution
  • Data tabulation
  • Data analysis and statistical validation
  • Data interpretation
  • Professional reporting of test results

Consumer Evaluation

  • 40,000+ consumer database
  • Central location tests
  • Off-site tests
  • Home use tests
  • Focus groups
  • One-on-one interviews

Consumer focus groups and interviews

  • Consumer recruiting, screening, and scheduling
  • Screener development
  • Moderator and interview outline development with client 
  • Conduct focus groups or interviews 
  • Analysis and interpretation of qualitative data
  • Professional reporting of session results 

Typical project steps:

1 - Meet with client

  • Evaluate food products for testing
  • Determine client's objectives for consumer sensory research
  • Decide with client on appropriate tests

2 - Design project

  • Determine resources and dates for testing
  • Establish budget and timeline for tests
  • Propose plan of work, dates and budget to client
  • Complete and sign service contract with client

3 - Prepare for sensory tests

  • Recruit, screen and schedule consumers (on-site testing), OR arrange venues for off-site testing
  • Prepare computerized ballots and random sample presentation
  • Assign resources for food product preparation
  • Code serving materials

4 - Conduct sensory tests

5 - Analyze results and write report

6 - Report results to client

For more information contact: Ann Colonna

1 - Meet with client

  • Evaluate food products or concepts for evaluation
  • Determine client's objectives for focus group or consumer interviews
  • Decide with client on appropriate session design

2 - Design project

  • Determine resources and dates for sessions
  • Establish budget and timeline for sessions
  • Propose plan of work, dates and budget to client
  • Complete and sign service contract with client

3 - Prepare for focus groups or interview sessions

  • Establish screening criteria for consumer participants with client
  • Recruit, screen and schedule consumer participants
  • Prepare moderator outline or interview survey tool with client
  • Prepare any ballots or survey tools to include in sessions or interviews
  • Prepare any concept presentation materials or food concept samples
  • Assign resources for food product preparation if needed for day of session

4 - Conduct consumer interviews or moderate focus group sessions

5 - Meet with viewing clients after focus group sessions to debrief

6 - Tabulate any survey results and analyze recorded sessions

7 - Write final report or presentation for client

For more information about the Sensory Lab's services, contact Ann Colonna.