Flavor Studio’s Taste Test tools make online survey authoring easy: recruit and manage your panel, create user-friendly, customized questionnaires, collect data, and run analyses on your sensory and consumer tests. Results are displayed graphically with simple-to-interpret images.
Flavor Studio has three ways to collect responses from tasters:
Notes:
Admin and Premium-level users are entitled to unlimited Taste Test surveys.
Professional-level users cannot create, manage, or view Taste Tests.
The original creator of a taste test is the owner and is the only person allowed to manage a test. However, tests can be shared with other Premium-level users or Admins. See the section on Sharing
One of the most useful features is Copy Questionnaire, which allows you to copy any number of questions from an existing questionnaire into the current questionnaire. Please see the description below.
Creating a new survey requires four steps:
In this article:
All of the Taste Test features are found under the TASTE TESTS item in the top navigation menu.
To create a new Taste Test, click on the button in the top right corner of the TASTE TESTS page.
The New Taste Test dialog box will open, allowing you to record basic information in 6 fields.
You can click SAVE after entering the TASTE TEST name or continue to complete as many fields as needed.
Click CANCEL to instantly end the process of creating a new TASTE TEST.
If you clicked SAVE, then the newly created Taste Test page will open.
Note: This time is in the timezone established by your organization’s Admins. Please see Admin-General Settings-Timezone.
IMPORTANT: If you require login email addresses, each respondent’s email address is recorded for every question answered. However, this information is only available in the Comprehensive Report that can be downloaded at the conclusion of a TASTE TEST. The Results page will not show any identifying information. Please see the section on Publish and Results below.
In addition to the 6 fields provided in the New Taste Test dialog, there are 3 more fields that help to configure your taste test:
At the top of each Taste Test, there are three tabs, which are used to group the different aspects of the Taste Taste: Manage, Testers, and Questionnaire. To the right of these tabs are five menu items: Delete, Duplicate, Publish, Post to Project, and Share, described below.
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DeleteIf you are the owner of the current Taste Test, you can delete it. Click the Delete button and then click OK when you are asked to confirm your action. |
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DuplicateWhen clicked, the Duplicate button will open the same Create New Taste Test dialog box used to create new tests. However, this time, Flavor Studio will create a copy of the selected Taste Test, and add ‘- duplicate’ to the name of the test. All of the settings, tasters, questions, and results will be copied to the duplicate. Click NEXT to continue to the next step: inviting participants. |
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IMPORTANT: This last step gives you the opportunity to invite one or more of the tasters that were invited to the Taste Test being duplicated. If you wish to invite any of these people, ensure that you place a checkmark to the right of the participant’s name. There is also a button at the top right to SELECT ALL or SELECT NONE. Click SAVE to finish duplicating the Taste Test.
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Publish Taste TestA Taste Test can be published in a variety of formats if the Taste Test has at least 1 result. Otherwise, a notification will be shown stating, No data collected. |
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If data has been collected, you will be presented with the Publish Content dialog. This allows you to choose the presentation and format of the content. Content:
There are two methods of delivery: Print, which will open the PDF in a new browser tab, and Download, which will automatically download the PDF.
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You must choose at least two Taste Tests before Flavor Studio will process your request. The Taste Tests list will be pre-populated with the current Taste Test. To add the second Taste Test, start typing the name of the test in the second text box. A list of matching candidates will appear. Click the candidate Taste Test you wish to include in the Shelf Life content type. There is only one file type, PDF, and one delivery method, Download. |
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Post to ProjectThis menu item allows you to add the current Taste Test to a project’s file repository as a link to the test. There are three quick steps: |
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1. Choose destination project: |
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| 3. Once you click SAVE, the destination folder will open showing the successful addition of the Taste Test to the Project Repository. | |
ShareThe original creator of a taste test is the owner, and the only person allowed to manage a test. However, tests can be shared with other Premium-level users or Admins. |
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IMPORTANT: Sharing a Taste Test gives only gives the recipient permission to View, Duplicate, Publish, Post, and Share the Taste Test. You cannot Delete a Taste Test that you do not own. However, if you Duplicate a Taste Test, you become the owner of the duplicate with all the attendant permissions. |
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Click on the Share button and search for the Premium-level or Admin user. Click SHARE TASTE TEST. |
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The recipient of the shared Taste Test will receive an email letting them know they now have access to the Taste Test. |
At the top of each TASTE TEST page is the PROGRESS section. It describes the current state of the test. Initially, the Taste Test is Pending. To the right of Pending is the START button. Once the test has been started, the PROGRESS text will change to Running. Once the test has been started, the TEST CODE link with Test ID, Close Test button, and test QR Code (for use with mobile devices) will appear.
Before a test is started, the progress state is Pending.
Once a test has been started, the progress state is Running.
Once the test has been closed, the progress state is Complete.
| Once you have completed the questionnaire and invited your tasters, click the Start Test button. The PROGRESS status will change to Running. | |
| Once a test is running, you will be provided with a TEST CODE link. You can provide this link to any person that you would like to participate in the taste test. This is the same link that will be sent to the tasters in the invitation email. Additionally, the six-digit code displayed can be entered into another URL at tastetestlogin.com to permit the collection of data with one or more tablets/laptops. | |
| Once your conditions for closing the test have been met, click the Close Test button and the Results will be calculated. Once a test is closed, links to the survey will no longer work. | |
| The QR Code makes participation easy for mobile users. For example, post an image of the QR Code at the reception desk of the testing location and anyone in attendance can quickly and easily start the online survey. | |
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Once a test has been closed, it can be resumed by clicking the Resume Testing button that will appear after the test has been closed. Questions can also be changed at any time. |
Below the PROGRESS section is the CONFIRMATIONS section, describing the number of respondents who are confirmed, declined, or who have not yet responded.
Taste Tests can be managed in two places: the Taste Test page which lists all tests, and the individual test page. The Taste Test page lists all Taste Tests that you own or that have been shared with you. It works in the same way that other lists in Flavor Studio work.
You can select Taste Tests in two ways: select one test by clicking anywhere in the row, or you can select multiple rows by clicking the checkbox to the left of the test. You can also select the checkbox to the left of the Taste Test label at the top of the list. This will check all Taste Tests.
DeleteThe recipient of the shared Taste Test will receive an email letting them know they now have access to the Taste Test. |
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HistoryWhen clicked, the Duplicate button will open the same Create New Taste Test dialog box used to create new tests. However, this time, Flavor Studio will create a copy of the selected Taste Test, and add ‘- duplicate’ to the name of the test. All of the settings, tasters, questions, and results will be copied to the duplicate. Click NEXT to continue to the next step: inviting participants. |
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There are four menu items available when one or more tests are checked. These are actions that can apply to one or more Taste Tests:
Delete
History
Post to Project
This menu item allows you to add the current Taste Test to a project’s file repository as a link to the test.
There are three quick steps:
Choose destination project:
Choose the destination folder:
Once you click SAVE, the destination folder will open showing the successful addition of the Taste Test to the Project Repository
Publish Shelf Life
TBD
When a row is selected without using the checkbox, there are three more menu items available. These are actions that can apply to exactly one Taste Test
View
Clicking the View button will have the same effect as double-clicking the Taste Test row: the Taste Test will be opened for viewing or editing.
Duplicate
When clicked, the Duplicate button will open the same Create New Taste Test dialog box used to create new tests. However, this time, Flavor Studio will create a copy of the selected Taste Test, and add ‘- duplicate’ to the name of the test. All of the settings, tasters, questions, and results will be copied to the duplicate.
Click NEXT to continue to the next step: inviting participants.
IMPORTANT:
This last step gives you the opportunity to invite one or more of the tasters that were invited to the Taste Test being duplicated. If you wish to invite any of these people, ensure that you place a checkmark to the right of the participant’s name. There is also a button at the top right to SELECT ALL or SELECT NONE.
Click SAVE to finish duplicating the Taste Test.
Share
The original creator of a taste test is the owner, and the only person allowed to manage a test. However, tests can be shared with other Premium-level users or Admins.
IMPORTANT:
Sharing a Taste Test gives only gives the recipient permission to View, Duplicate, Publish, Post, and Share the Taste Test.
You cannot Delete a Taste Test that you do not own.
However, if you duplicate a Taste Test, you become the owner of the duplicate with all the attendant permissions.
Click on the Share button and search for the Premium-level or Admin user.
Click SHARE TASTE TEST.
The recipient of the shared Taste Test will receive an email letting them know they now have access to the Taste Test.
Start Test
If a test has not been started, tasters are unable to use any of the QR Codes, Test Codes or web page links to the survey.
A test has not been started if the status in the Progress section is set to Pending.
To start the test, Click the Start Test button to the right of the Progress section
An information dialog will appear:
You will be given the participation link and code on the next page.
The Progress section status will change to Running.
Close Test
To Close the test, which will stop tasters from from responding to the QR Code or test web page links , click the Close Test button, to the left of the Progress section.
Anyone attempting to use a test web page link will be provided with the following notice:
The status of the Progress section will change to Completed.
Resume Testing
To resume testing, and allow tasters to respond to the surveys, click the Resume Testing button, to the left of the Progress section.
The Progress section status will change to Running.
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Products
The Products section of the page allows you to enter one or more products that will be the subjects of the taste test. It is located on the right side of the page above the Tasters section.
To add a product, click the large + symbol inside the circle
A search dialog will open, allowing you to search for products.
Click OKAY
Once a product has been added, Flavor Studio will add it to the list of products, along with a random number which will be used when referring to the product in the survey.
If the product has an associated image, it will appear beside the product. To add an image, click the Edit icon (pencil in document).
You can delete a product by clicking the Delete icon (garbage can).
To change the product or the code, click the Edit icon (pencil in document).
Preview
At any point in the process of creating or running a taste test, you can preview the survey by clicking the Preview button, located in the upper right area of the page. Preview shows you exactly what the tasters will see when they take the survey.
Results
Once you have started a survey, you have access to the results. The number of results will be show beside the Results tab.
View the results by clicking on the Results tab title, seen in the image above.
The results will be displayed in the order in which they appear in the survey.
Note: You can download the results in a variety of formats by using the Publish Taste Test feature.
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Copy Questionnaire
One of the most useful features is Copy Questionnaire, which allows you to copy any number of questions from an existing questionnaire into the current questionnaire.
This is particularly useful if you create and share a small set of basic screener/demographic questions, non-soecific product and follow-up questions. These can then be easily copied into any existing questionnaire.
To copy a questionnaire into the current questionnaire, begin by clicking the Copy Questionnaire button, found in the upper right hand area of the page:
Tasters
All invited tasters wlil appear in the TASTERS section on the right side of the page, under the PRODUCTS section. Tasters will also appear in a more useful list under the Tasters tab.
There are three ways you can invite tasters to participate in the survey, all explained below:
* Add tasters from the TASTERS section
* Use the Send Individual Invite button.
* Use the Send Mass Invite button.
You can add a taster by clicking on the large Add button (+ symbol inside a circle).
Enter the tasters name and email address and click OK. Flavor Studio wll immediately send an invitation by email.
The email invitation will give the taster the opportunity to accept or decline the invitation, which will then be show in the Confirmations section of the page.
Flavor Studio’s invitation email also makes it easy for tasters to add the survey invitation to several popular calendars.
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Send Individual Invite
Send Mass Invite
Flavor Studio provides the ability to import a large number of invitations by importing a comma-separated-value (CSV) file.
The format of the CSV file is very simple:
[name], [email_address]
[name], [email_address]
[name], [email_address]
Each name can be quoted text or not, and include an apostrophe.
Each email_address should follow the standard format.
Import the CSV file using the built-in browser file dialog. The import process is very lenient and will try to import whatever you supply.
The result of the import will be displayed in two fields, as seen in the example image to the right:
Each imported name will be added to the Name field, separated by commas.
Each imported email_address will be added to the Name field, separated by commas.
You can edit the list at this point.
To complete the import process, click the Start Import button. If you prefer to make changes to the CSV file, click Cancel and stop the import process.
The results will be shown under the Tasters tab. You can also edit, add or delete tasters from this part of the page.
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Questionnaire
The Questionnaire section allows you to design easy-to-use sensory survey instruments, for anonymous or identified respondents. Surveys are ordered into three sections:
* Screener Questions
* Product Questions
* Follow Up Questions
Flavor Studio provides a broad range of question types, in each category, including examples with likely responses. Two methods of preview are available: you can see the entire survey from start to finish, or each question can be previewed as you are composing them, so you will see exactly what tasters will see when they take the survey. Most question types offer the choice of continuing or concluding the survey, based on the taster’s response.
Within each section, you are free to order the questions as you prefer.
In this section of the article:
* Designing Questions
* Question Type
* Question Name and Prompt
* Sections
* Screener
* Product
* Follow Up
Designing Questions
Questions are created using the designer, located at the top of the questionnaire page:
The Question Designer has two tabs, the Info tab and the Options tab:
The Info tab contains most of the choices you’ll need when creating questions. The Options tab has related options that change based on the question type.
Question Name and Prompt
Every question requires a unique name and a question prompt. The Question Name is used as a title or header or category for the question prompt, followed by the answer options:
The Info tab will change based on which section you choose. For example, when you choose a Screener question, the Info tab will look like this:
Save or Cancel
In the bottom left corner of the Question Designer you will find two buttons to SAVE or CANCEL adding or modifying a question.
Note: You must have entered a Question Name in order to save a new question.
Section
The Section dropdown allows you to choose which section of the questionnaire the question applies to: Screener, Product or Follow Up.
Screener Question Types
Screening questions let a survey creator target questions to a specific audience by filtering respondents. With screening questions, respondents first see your screening question, and then those who select a threshold answer such as “Yes” or “I plan to” can answer the remaining questions in your survey.
Flavor Studio includes frequently asked question types as templates to get you started. Depending on the section and question type, Flavor Studio will also automatically generate the number of answer options based on the scale that you select. The current Screener dropdown list includes the following:
* Always - Never
* Race/Ethnicity
* Income
* Age
* Frequency
* Recent experience
* Gender
Each of the Screener question types will create an initial set of options, appropriate to the question. For example:
* Income will populate the question with 7 income bracket response options:
* Always - Never will populate the question with 5 possible responses:
* Gender - This template provides an initial choice of two or three options. The image to the right shows the default three options:
You can change the number of default options by changing the Options dropdown in the upper right of the Question Designer.
* Gender - The image to the right shows the default two options:
For any question that you create, you are free to choose the number of options available using the Add option button or the Delete option button:
Click the blue PLUS button to add a new option to the question.
Click the Delete option button to the right of any option in order to delete it.
IMPORTANT: The screener section does not allow free text responses. The Text Input response type is only available in the Product and Follow Up sections.
Product Question Types
The Product question group provides the greatest number of options and templates for questions. There are seven templates, described below:
* Multiple Choice
* Scales
* A/B
* Liking
* JAR
* Attribute Intensity
* Text Input
Multiple Choice
The Multiple Choice type of question is a completely free-form question designer. You have complete control over the number of options, their text, and what happens when a taster selects each option. Options can be added by cicking the Add icon (blue circle with +) beneath the existing options. Options can be deleted by clicking the Delete icon (garbage can) to the right of each option.
Each option has a dropdown to the right of the option which gives you the opportunity to choose what happens next when that option is selected:
* Continue to next question
* End questionnaire
* Jump to a specific question. The dropdown will be populated with existing question as they are added to the questionnaire.
Scales
The Scales type offers 20 pre-defined scales, all listed below. Many of the offered scales include a choice of the number of response options in the scale.
In the example below, the selected scale is Above average - Below average, which offers two set of response options, seen below.
In this example to the right, choosing 3 response options for the Above average - Below average scale provides a simple set of choices.
In this example to the right, choosing 5 response options for the Above average - Below average scale provides a larger set of choices.
Note: You are free to change the text of any of the response options, as well as adding or depeting any of the options.
The full list of pre-defined Scales:
* Agree - Disagree
* Satisfied - Dissatisfied
* Yes - No
* Likely - Unlikely
* Familiar - Not familiar
* Interested - Not interested
* Better - Worse
* Above average - Below average
* True - False
* Definitely would - Definitely would not
* Useful - Not useful
* Clear - Not clear
* Helpful - Not helpful
* Positive - Negative
* Important - Not important
* Desirable - Not desirable
* Confident - Not confident
* Exceeded expectations - Below expectations
* Just About Right
* Like - Dislike
A/B
A/B testing (also known as split testing or bucket testing) is a way to compare two or more versions of something to understand which performs better. When you choose an A/B question, Flavor Studio will automatically add each of the Products that were added to the test in the Manage section.
In the example to the right and below, 3 versions of a peanut butter cookie recipe are being tested:
Note: You can increase the number of products at any time and Flavor Studio will automatically match the number of response options.
Notes: Flavor Studio assigns a random three-digit code to each product. This code should be used when presenting the sample to the tasters.
Flavor Studio allows you to include a no-preference option.
Liking
The Liking question type provides a pre-defined and un-changeable scale that you can use to guage how much a taster liked a articular sample of your product.
In the example to the right, we ask the taster to give only their opinion about the cookie they preferred.
Each of the five options has an associated next-step action that you can use to control what happens next.
In the example to the right, if the taster says they like the sample very much, then we want the questionnaire to jump to a specific question - a free text input asking why they liked it so much.
The next-step action dropdown will always include a list of all existing product questions, along with an option to immediately end the questionnaire.
JAR
The JAR or Just-About-Right question type is another fixed option question type, with the same next-step action dropdown for each of the five options:
Attribute Intensity
The key feature of of the Attribute Intensity type of question is a slider that will be presented to tasters.
The example to the right asks tasters to rate the moisture level of the product sample:
This question type allows you to choose the adjectives used to measure the intensity of the chosen attribute.
In the example to the right, the adjectives are low and high.
Text Input
The Text Input type is the simplest of question. The taster is simply offered the same question dialog and a text input box where they can enter the appropriate answer.
Note: Text Input response are limited to 6 billion characters[e].
Follow Up Question Types
Follow-up questions can be used to dig deeper into previous answers. These follow-up questions are especially helpful if they are qualitative questions that collect information in the respondent's own words.
Flavor Studio offers one type of question for the Follow Up section: Text Input.
Example of Text Input question type: