Evaluation of assessor performance in sensory analysis

Sensory assessors are measuring instruments, and must be accurate, precise and valid; individual assessors should also show agreement with each other. Comparisons between assessors can be tackled at two levels of detail: univ ariate and multivariate. Univariate treatments depend on calculating statis tics which are displayed in tables or preferably in graphics. Multivariate methods which allow for differences between assessors include Generalised P rocrustes Analysis. Only to a very limited extent can the large differences between assessors be controlled by selection and training. In the absence of gross impairment, ability to concentrate and vocabulary and identificati on skills seem to be the best predictors of future performance. The more so phisticated methods of analysis identified in this paper are necessary to d o full justice to the data.