Sensory evaluation workshop (IFST accredited – intermediate level)

This course provides a thorough overview of sensory science, including the human senses and how they are used in sensory evaluation practices, sensory methodology, best practice when conducting these methods, panel recruitment, screening and training. This intermediate course deep dives into the data analysis of discrimination and descriptive methods. Typical attendees usually include those new to sensory science or those who wish to develop and improve their existing skills. They will gain an understanding of the importance of objective sensory evaluation activities in the food and drink industry but most importantly how the data is collated and analysed using advanced statistical techniques 

• Day 1 - an introduction to sensory evaluation - the senses, sensory methods, and panel recruitment, training and maintenance
• Day 2 - data classification, scaling, data capture, sensory statistics and discrimination test methods
• Day 3 - descriptive testing methods, further sensory statistics with practical activities on univariate data analysis, and sensory best practice and experimental design
• Day 4 - multivariate statistical methods, analysis of panel performance, managing product quality using sensory techniques and consumer research.

Course aims

• To provide a thorough overview of sensory science
• To gain an understanding of the recruitment, screening and training process when using different types of sensory assessors
• To show the differences in sensory discrimination and descriptive methods using several practical activities
• To examine different types of data related to different methods and provide ways to statically analyse them using univariate (ANOVA and multiple comparison tests) and multivariate (PCA and GPA) statistics 
• For delegate to experience being an assessor in a descriptive panel using quantitative descriptive analysis
• Provide an introduction to consumer research techniques including data output

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course you will be able to:-

• Recruit, screen and train a sensory panel for different purposes, ie discrimination, descriptive and consumer research
• Understand why best practice is important and be able to use best practice principles
• Demonstrate the differences in sensory methodology and its uses
• Understand the data output for discrimination tests used for decision making
• Calculate and explain the output of univariate statistical results using practical exercises
• Interpret and review the PCA and GPA graphs obtained from panel performance data by practical activity participation
• Have the opportunity to demonstrate competency and awareness by taking the intermediate exam

Optional IFST Intermediate Exam - will take place from 1100 - 1200 hours on xxx - this will be remotely delivered and invigilated (exam is included in the course fee).