Aspects of statistical regression in sensometrics

A discussion is presented of roles of regression analysis in sensometric st udies, distinguishing description, interpretation and prediction purposes. A brief review is given of linear regression methods for prediction in situ ations with near-collinear explanatory variables, including for example rid ge regression and partial least squares, and latent variable models are dis cussed. Finally problems with statistical and causal inference from regress ion on covariates in designed experiments are discussed. Illustrations in t he paper are based on a sensometric study of apple flavour under varied sto rage conditions [Brockhoff, P., Skovgaard, I., Poll, L., & Hansen, K. (1993 ). A comparison of methods for linear prediction of apple flavor from gas c hromatographic measurements. Food Quality and Preference, 4, 215-222], with sensory response data and with gas chromatography measurements as covariat es. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.