Sensory science is defined as a scientific method used to evoke, measure, analyze, and interpret those responses to products as perceived through the senses of sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing (Stone and Sidel, 1993). This definition encompasses both analytical methods, such as descriptive and discriminative testing and hedonic methods, including qualitative and quantitative consumer testing used to address sensory research objectives.
To select and train a sensory panel with the purpose of using all their senses in evaluating products is a challenge. There are different types of standards on how to select and train sensory analytical panels. However, there are no standard covering all senses.
The challenges for a multisensory approach are many. In this paper our focus is on:
Some guidance to select and train a multisensory panel might be found in the ISO standard ISO8586:2012. Criteria for tastes and odours are clear and concise. Some advices concerning tactile senses (perception of texture) and vision (colour vision) are given. To find guidance in measuring the sensorial perception of audio and vision the literature might be consulted eg by Zackarov and Bech (2006), Legarth and Zacharov (2009) and Rossi (2013).
The poster will show suggestions and experiences on how to select a multisensory panel.