1. Scope
The objective of this document is to provide guidelines for developing, selecting and using scales in the context of sensory and consumer experiments. 1.2. Practical applications of the measurement of descriptive properties and affective reactions to products are first discussed and considerations to scale usage, reliability and validity are addressed. Different types of scale are then reviewed with focus on definition, areas of application and issues to ponder when using such scale. Last, the different types of scale are compared and contrasted. Guidelines to select the appropriate scale are developed. 1.3. This guide is limited to aid sensory professionals in the construction and use of scales but does not cover details of the analysis nor is it intended to provide guidelines for questionnaire design. 1.4. This guide will not address the construction of multi-item scales such as IQ scales designed to measure an underlying psychological construct. It will focus on the construction of single item questions 1.5. This guide does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this guide to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Keywords
Scale in sensory experiments, measurement, descriptive, affective, consumer test
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Citing ASTM Standards
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