UNIVERSAL, PRODUCT AND ATTRIBUTE SPECIFIC SCALING AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMON LEXICONS IN DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS

A descriptive training program involves the development of standardized practices or a common frame of reference. This paper reviews concepts and procedures on developing a qualitative frame of reference (i.e., the development of a common lexicon, language), and discusses the different alternatives for quantitative frames of reference. Different quantitative frames of reference can be established depending on the philosophy chosen to rate attribute intensities. The three philosophies presented in this manuscript are the universal, product specific and attribute specific scaling approaches. The advantages, disadvantages and uses of each of these techniques are discussed. A well trained panel has sound common qualitative and quantitative frames of reference used in product evaluations. A low panel variability is obtained when both frames of reference are successfully implemented and used.