Instrumentation & Calibration Flashcards

In descriptive analysis, how are panelists 'calibrated' on an intensity scale?

Answer: By using reference standards anchored to specific scale points

Reference standards with set intensity values, such as Spectrum references, align how panelists use the scale.

In the Spectrum method, a 2% sucrose solution is commonly used as a reference for:

Answer: Sweetness at about 2 on a 15-point scale

Spectrum sweetness references include 2% sucrose at about 2.0, with stronger solutions anchoring higher points.

A panel's mean scores for a control sample are plotted session by session with upper and lower limits. What tool is this?

Answer: A control chart

Control charts track panel performance on a control sample over time and flag results outside the limits.

Which panelist performance metric checks whether a panelist gives similar scores to duplicate samples?

Answer: Repeatability

Repeatability measures how consistently a panelist scores the same sample served more than once.

A panelist consistently rates all samples higher than the panel mean but ranks them in the same order. What problem is this?

Answer: A scale-use (level) difference

A consistent offset with the correct rank order is a scale-level difference, not a failure to discriminate.

In ANOVA of panel data, a significant panelist × sample interaction suggests that:

Answer: Panelists disagree on how the samples differ

A significant interaction means panelists rate sample differences differently, often a sign that more training is needed.

Why should sensory booth lighting be checked with a light meter and color temperature checks?

Answer: To keep visual conditions standard and repeatable across sessions

Consistent illuminance and color temperature, as in ASTM guidance, keep appearance judgments comparable across sessions.