ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how to do a classic Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) and to clarify many peripheral points about the technique. QDA® provided a way to describe new products, changes in formulation, and methods of manufacture. Panelists for QDA® can be recruited either from the in-house personnel of a company or by obtaining consumers through telephone recruitment or the use of an outside agency. There are several techniques which work well in holding panel interest and in revealing if all panelists are perceiving the product in a like manner. The first step in establishing a successful QDA® program is to get management support for the idea. The chapter discusses the screening process for QDA® and focuses on the process of setting up the screening tests, then on how to conduct the tests, and finally on how to select the judges following the testing.
