Evaluating consumer acceptance tests by three-way internal preference mapping obtained by parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC)

Abstract

In this work, it is demonstrated that consumer acceptance analysis can be evaluated by simultaneously considering several attributes using a three-way internal preference map obtained by parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC).Considerations regarding the building of this three-way map by PARAFAC are reported. Pilot case studieswith real data sets from herb cakes and beef burgers are also carried out, and comparisons with results fromregular internal preference maps are obtained by principal component analysis. Three-way internal preference maps enable the simultaneous analysis of interactions among consumer preferences, products and different evaluated attributes, which facilitate the selection of favorite samples. This method highlights the efficiency of the three-way analysis of consumer acceptance data with different sources of data variability, allowing the extraction of relevant information and the graphic display of this information with improved interpretability. Three-way internal preference mapping is a useful tool for the analysis of consumer acceptance tests, which can provide amore evidence-based and general interpretation of data. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Three-way internal preference mapping is another useful tool for the analysis of consumer acceptance tests, allowing the extraction of more relevant information and the graphic display of this information with improved interpretability. This tool makes it possible to simultaneously analyze the interactions among consumer preferences, products and different evaluated attributes, which can facilitate the selection of favorite samples. Furthermore, it enables a comparison of the overall performance of the samples in consumer acceptance tests, simultaneously taking into account the influence of all analyzed attributes. This method is useful in new product development and product improvement studies in research institutions and industries.