Overview

Introductions and Comments from Session #1

Tasks: ~15 minutes

1. Take attendance.
   
   
2. Seating assignment based upon name tag placement (different arrangement from Session #1).
   
   
3. Panelists are asked to introduce themselves to the group and share one thing they learned or found interesting from Session #1.
   

Resources

Guidelines for Success Criteria

1. Interactions: Observe introductions and comments on the one thing learned/found interesting from session #1.
   
   
2. Comments: Subjective comments on individual interactions within the group.
   

The activity numbering found further on this page resumes from the Panelist Screening Session 1 .

Activity #5: Basic Taste Recall

Task: ~10 minutes

1. Panelists are provided with basic taste solutions again. Instead of 10 samples, panelists may see only 6 samples this time (sweet, salt, sour*2, bitter, and umami).
   
   
2. Samples are served in a fixed order. The immediate feedback is added but not shown to panelists in this test. You are wanting to see if panelists learned from the exercise the previous day.
   
   

Resources

1. Data collection devices (iPads/Tablets/Desktop).
   
   
2. Activity #5: “Identifying Basic Tastes” test.
   
   
3. Basic Taste Solutions (sucrose, salt, caffeine, citric acid, MSG, and distilled water).
   
   
4. Glassware, Napkins.
   
   
5. 1 oz. cups – labelled with 3 digit codes.
   
   
6. 10 oz. water cups.
   
   
7. Spit cups + lids.
   
   
8. Need 800 g - ~20 g/panelist. Make 1000 g in case of spills.
   

For greater accuracy, we used units of measurement for mass (grams) rather than units of measurement for volume (millilitres).

Guidelines for Success Criteria

1. Create the ‘Hits and misses report’ to determine how many times a panelist was correct. 
   
   
2. Points:
   
1. Up to 6.
   
   
2. Expect each panelist will identify each taste correctly at least once.  
   

Activity #6: Discrimination – Triangle Test – (Cola Example)

Task: ~8 minutes

1. Panelists are asked to identify the different sample, in a triangle test.
   
   
2. Cola is used in this example, but alternate products may be used.
   
   
3. Enable feedback to panelists.
   

Resources

1. Data collection devices (iPads/Tablets/Desktop).
   
   
2. Activity #6: “Triangle” test.
   
   
3. Cola (Brand A & Brand A Diet).
   
   
4.  2 oz. cups – labelled with 3 digit codes.
   

Guidelines for Success Criteria

Activity #7: Discrimination – Tetrad Test – (Chips Example)

Task: ~8 minutes

1. Panelists are asked to group the samples based on similarity, in a tetrad test.
   
   
2. Potato chips are used in this example, but alternate products may be used.
   
   
3. Enable feedback to panelists.
   

Resources

1. Data collection devices (iPads/Tablets/Desktop).
   
   
2. Activity #7: “Tetrad” test.
   
   
3. Chips (Brand A Regular Salt and Brand A Reduced Salt).
   
   
4. 2 oz. cups – labelled with 3 digit codes.
   

Guidelines for Success Criteria

Activity #8: Discrimination – Triangle or Tetrad Test – (Mayo Example)

Task: ~8 minutes

1. Panelists are asked to identify the different sample, in a triangle or group the samples based on similarity, in a tetrad test.
   
   
2. Mayonnaise is used in this example, but alternate products may be used.
   
   
3. Enable feedback to panelists.
   

Resources

1. Data collection devices (iPads/Tablets/Desktop).
   
   
2. Depending on which discrimination test type you are using, clone either Activity #6: Triangle or Activity #7: Tetrad” test.
   
   
3. Mayo (Brand A Regular and Brand A Light).
   
   
4.  2 oz. cups – labelled with 3 digit codes.

Guidelines for Success Criteria

Activity #9: Odour Recall

Task: ~25 minutes

1. Panelists evaluate 15 odour bottles (New test: cloned, edited and recoded from Session #1, activity #4).
   
   
2. Utilize the same procedure as in Session #1. Immediate feedback is still hidden from panelists.
   
   

Resources

1. Data collection devices (iPads/Tablets/Desktop).
   
   
2. Activity #9: “Odour Recall” test.
   
   
3. Odours (refer to the odour table).
   
   
4. 15 amber bottle + lids.
   
   
5. Synthetic cotton balls.
   
   
6. Labels (codes 1-15).
   

Guidelines for Success Criteria

1. Compare results from Activity #4 Odour Identification to determine if learning took place.
   
   
2. Create the ‘Hits and misses report’ to determine how many times a panelist was correct.  
   
   
3. Points: Up to 15.
   

Activity #10: Discrimination – What is Similar and What is Different?

Task: ~20 minutes

1. Provide 2 coded samples.
   
   
2. Ask panelists to evaluate and indicate what is similar and different about the samples.  This can be completed on paper or using 2 Comment questions in Compusense.
   
   
3. Hot dogs are used in this example, but alternate products may be used.
   

Resources

1. Pen and paper or Data collection devices (iPads/Tablets/Desktop).
   
   
2. Hot dogs (Brand A and Brand B).
   
   
3. Pots and water (to cook samples).
   
   
4. 2 oz. cups – labelled with A or B.
   
   
5. Serve each panelist two pieces 1” (inch) in length.
   

Guidelines for Success Criteria

1. Independent work and group interactions.
   
   
2. Comments: Subjective comments from entire process.
   
   
3. Points: Each panelist should receive a score out of 3 on his/her answers (1 lowest and 3 highest).
   

Activity # 11: Independent Work, Group Work, Presenting to a Group

Task: ~20 minutes

1. Ask panelists to answer the following question: “How would you describe the difference between flavour and texture?”.
   
   
2. This can be completed on paper or using a Comment question in Compusense. Once panelists have completed their answer, break into small groups to share responses.
   
   
3. Small groups will document ideas on flip chart paper.
   
   
4. Small groups will select one individual to present to the main group.
   

Resources

1. Data collection devices (iPads/Tablets/Desktop).
   
   
2. Activity #11: Flavour vs Texture test.
   
   
3. Flip Chart Paper, Markers, Tape.
   

Guidelines for Success Criteria

1. Monitor independent work, group interactions and presentation to main group.
   
   
2. Comments: Subjective comments from entire process.
   

Activity # 12: Closing and Next Steps

Closing

1. Discuss panel commitment and next steps.
   
   
2. Answer any panelist questions.
   
   
3. Pay participants.
   

Next Steps

1. Use the "Compusense Score Sheet for Screening Tests" (found at the bottom of this page) as an example on how to keep track of panelist’s points for the screening tests.
   
   
2. Once you have recruited for your trained panel, you will need to train panelists on how to use Line Scales for evaluating samples.
   
   
3. Activity #12: “Visual Proportions Training Exercise with Feedback” test.
   
   
4. Activity #13: “Basic Tastes with Feedback” test.
   
   
5. Once panelists have been trained, you can then train panelists on more specific products for your company.