Abstract:

 

Join us for this informative webinar where we will explore the power of Thurstonian modeling as a basis for sensory discrimination testing. Broadly used indices of sensory differences (proportion of correct answers, proportion of discriminators, statistical p-values, R-indices) lack a theoretical foundation for scaling sensory magnitudes and often result in erroneous conclusions and missed opportunities. Missing a difference with the triangle test but not with the tetrad method? Not finding a difference with the tetrad method but then consumers express a preference? How that is possible is explained using Thurstonian ideas.

Estimating the size of sensory differences using response proportions from difference tests will resolve these paradoxes. This is where Thurstonian modeling with its broad applications to sensory and consumer sciences comes in. In this webinar, we will review the assumptions behind the models, describe how they were supported in practice, and illustrate their broad and powerful applications, ranging from setting up a reliable risk profile for an internal sensory discrimination testing program to linking the sensitivity of trained experts and that of naïve consumers. Thurstonian modeling is the key to unlocking a whole new level of sensory insights.

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This webinar is intended for a general audience of sensory professionals and graduate students.

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A digital recording of this webinar is available for purchase ($289).