A STATISTICAL TEST OF CONSENSUS OBTAINED FROM GENERALIZED PROCRUSTES ANALYSIS OF SENSORY DATA

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Matrix matching techniques such as Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) always produce a matrix of maximal agreement which can then be used to graphically represent samples in “consensus plots”. The degree to which the consensus plots produced by GPA on sensory data (such as that obtained from free choice profiling) actually give a picture of true consensus among panelists, as opposed to being merely artifacts of the analysis, has not been examined. Using a Monte Carlo approach, a statistical test is defined for qualifying this consensus. Examples of the application of the test to sensory profiling data of fruit flavors are given.