Analysis of Sensory Rating Scales

Data from nine previous sensory studies utilizing scales varying from 5 to 15 points were normalized by calculating z values to estimate the position of categories on the psychological continuum. Normalized data from studies utilizing a 5‐point scale for sensory evaluations were nearly equally spaced as is assumed for many statistical analyses. However, a central tendency was observed in scores for flavor on 9‐ and 15‐point scales. If data from an extensive ordinal scale are to be transformed, normalized category means can be substituted for raw scores before statistical analysis.