CORE AREA 1 FOOD STUDIES Methods of presenting sensory analysis results
Once the sensory analysis test has been carried out test organisers should collect the scorecards from each tray, transfer the results onto a main record sheet, calculate the overall results and present the results. Test results can be presented on a pie chart, bar chart or star diagram.
Pie chart
Results of a paired preference test, comparing two biscuits.
Own brand 47%
Competitor’s brand 53%
80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
Bar chart
Results of a preference hedonic ranking test showing which of the two crisps is preferred.
70% 30% Own brand Star diagram
Star diagrams are used by the food industry to outline the results of descriptive rating tests. They can show the result of one test or many tests on the one diagram.
They have many benefits: 33
33 33
they allow for an easy comparison of products, as differences and similarities are clearly evident, e.g. which product is the sweetest
many attributes can be included in one diagram
they provide information to enable manufacturers to create a sensory profile for a product; these are used in advertising and marketing campaigns.
è For more information on how to create a star diagram see your Food Studies Assignment guide.
Softness
Results of a descriptive rating test on a chocolate chip cookie.
