Analyzing data using the chance-corrected beta-binomial model: Parameter estimates and their confidence regions

John Castura/ August 6, 2019/ Poster/ 0 comments

Data arising from replicated sensory discrimination test methods with a correct response are often modelled using the chance-corrected beta-binomial distribution. The model can provide maximum likelihood estimates of the mean proportion of correct responses in the population (and discriminal distances under Thurstonian assumptions) and of the assessor heterogeneity (overdispersion). Both of these parameters are estimated with uncertainty. Previously uncertainty associated

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Analysis of sensory check-all-that-apply (CATA) data which includes the evaluation of a single ideal product

John Castura/ August 6, 2019/ Poster/ 0 comments

When evaluating samples in sensory tests, consumers are sometimes asked not only about real samples but also about imagined ideal products. Check-all-that-apply (CATA) questions are one way to understand consumers’ perceptions of products and their ideal product. We propose the following statistical analyses of consumer CATA data: (i) confidence intervals for head-to-head comparisons based on CATA data; (ii) panel (dis)agreement

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A retail simulation study for investigating product choice and choice satisfaction: A case study involving kombucha

John Castura/ August 6, 2019/ Poster/ 0 comments

Kombucha is a fermented tea that is rapidly growing in popularity in the United States. As part of a larger consumer study conducted in Portland, Oregon, kombucha consumers (n=1303, 68% female, aged 18-86, USA)participated in an online retail simulation test. They evaluated 9 commercial products (bottle images) and made choice selections in a retail simulation.

Does the τ estimate from same-different test data represent a relevant sensory effect size for determining sensory equivalency?

John Castura/ July 1, 2019/ Peer-reviewed Paper/ 0 comments

Analysis of data arising from the same-different test method can be submitted to Thurstonian-derived modelling with the goal of estimating the sensory distance between two products (the discriminal distance δ) and the response bias for responding “same” (τ). Previously it has been proposed that it is possible to use τ estimates from same-different test data to represent the consumer-relevant effect

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Segmenting consumers based on food choice motivation and product benefit expectations: A case study involving Kombucha

John Castura/ June 30, 2019/ Poster/ 1 comments

Kombucha is a fermented beverage that is rapidly growing in popularity in the United States. As part of a larger consumer study conducted in Portland, Oregon, kombucha consumers (n=230) participated in a retail simulation in a central location test. They evaluated 9 commercial products, made choice selections, and were prompted with questions related to food choice motivations, product expectations and

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Consumer testing to enable evidence-based business decision-making

John Castura/ June 30, 2019/ Workshop/ 0 comments

By some estimates more than 90% for new food and beverage products fail. In spite of the enormous costs associated with product failures, businesses continue to invest in new product development because the relatively few products that succeed provide business growth and profits. Consumer purchase and repurchase are essential to the success of new products. Consumers are decision makers: by

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Analyzing data from sensory discrimination tests: Parameter estimates and confidence regions

John Castura/ June 30, 2019/ Oral Presentation/ 0 comments

The sensory profile of a food product is an important contributor to its identity, and is linked to brand value. Sensory testing provide an objective way to ensure that the product’s target sensory profile is achieved, e.g., after making production changes. Historical data, including business outcomes, can provide context to assist decision making. Unreplicated sensory discrimination tests without response bias

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Is less always more?

John Castura/ June 5, 2019/ Oral Presentation, Symposium/ 0 comments

Here is a question to be answered in mythbusters style: “Do the number of available choices create a choice overload effect in consumers?” As a starting point, consider a well-known study in which consumers receive a coupon in a grocery store after tasting two jams. Consumers who were limited to choosing from only 6 jams followed through with purchase more

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Or is less just less?

John Castura/ June 5, 2019/ Oral Presentation, Symposium/ 0 comments

The authors of the meta-analysis suggest that the difficulties associated with making choices might be more related to the complexity of the choice task and the cognitive decision-making factors than simply to the number of choices. Other authors have suggested particular underlying factors. The claim of choice overload based strictly on the number of choices seems both capture and oversimplify

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