Platform

Test Methodologies

Choosing the right test method transforms your research from assumptions to evidence. Whether you need to detect subtle product differences, understand what drives consumer appeal, or verify product consistency, selecting the correct methodology ensures your decisions are grounded in reliable, scientifically defensible data.

Discrimination Testing

Descriptive Testing

Consumer Testing

Quality Testing

What it answers:

Are these products perceivably different?

‍When precision matters most, discrimination testing delivers a clear yes-or-no answer about product differences. These objective, efficient methods are designed to detect even the smallest sensory variation – differences that can make or break product consistency and quality control.

When to use it:
  • Evaluating ingredient or supplier changes
  • ‍Verifying product consistency across batches
  • Determining if a reformulation is detectable
  • Screening before consumer testing
  • ‍Shelf-life evaluation
  • Matching products to a target or control
Methods include:
What you get:

Statistical evidence that shows whether a perceptible difference exists, and boosted clarity and understanding that support data-driven decisions.

What it answers:

What are the sensory characteristics of this product, and how do they differ?

Descriptive analysis goes beyond detection to diagnosis. Using trained sensory panels, these methods build a complete sensory profile of your product, quantifying attributes with scientific precision. The result: a clear picture of not just whether products differ, but how and by how much.

When to use it:
  • Creating detailed product profiles for benchmarking
  • Understanding what drives consumer feedback
  • Comparing prototypes to identify the best formulation
  • Documenting sensory changes over shelf life
  • Establishing quality specifications
  • Optimizing product formulations
Methods include:
What you get:

Quantified attribute intensities that allow statistical comparison between products and enable you to pinpoint the sensory differences that matter most.

Woman applying two difference creams to her hand.
What it answers:

Do consumers like this product? Will they buy it?

Consumer testing brings real-world customer perspectives directly into your development process. By measuring acceptance, preference, and purchase intent with your target audience, you’ll understand how your product performs in the marketplace and what drives consumer appeal.

When to use it:
  • Measuring acceptance of new products or reformulations
  • Comparing your product to competitors
  • Understanding preference drivers
  • Validating product improvements
  • Estimating market potential
  • Supporting marketing claims and positioning
Test Methods include:
What you get:

Hedonic scores, preference data, and diagnostic feedback that predict marketplace success and identify improvement opportunities.

What it answers:

Does this product meet our quality standards?

Quality methods evaluate products against internal specifications and consistency requirements. These tests help maintain standards, ensure batch-to-batch and location-to-location consistency, and catch deviations before products reach consumers.

When to use it:
  • Measuring acceptance of new products or reformulations
  • Comparing your product to competitors
  • Understanding preference drivers
  • Validating product improvements
  • Estimating market potential
  • Supporting marketing claims and positioning
Methods include:
What you get:

Pass/fail decisions, quality scores, and trend data that ensure consistent product delivery and identify when corrective action is needed.