Deciding Which Test to Use in Discrimination Testing

Deciding which test to use in discrimination testing requires careful thought. Often the method which is most familiar to the business is commonly used without much consideration for what might be most appropriate for the specific objective and business need. While it may seem time-consuming, all possible test methods should be considered because some will naturally lend themselves to specific products and test objectives better than others. In addition, some methods benefit from having different ways in which they can be carried out. This flexibility can appear confusing but with clear guidance and understanding, can offer greater opportunities for the delivery of sensory best practice. Guidance on defining an action standard is given along with the thought process required to ensure it is actionable regardless of the test outcome. Aspects of the experimental design, such as the key advantages and disadvantages of different types of assessors, assessor numbers, and the importance of independent assessments in relation to statistical power are described. Finally, limitations to discrimination testing are discussed, giving examples of when other methods may be more appropriate.