An information-theoretic approach to classifying sensory inspectors

Abstract

Tests of product quality that depend exclusively on one or more of the five senses of a human inspector are known as sensory tests. Since the ability to make correct sensory judgments can vary substantially from person to person, it is important in the selection and training of inspectors to be able to distinguish between inspectors of differing sensory abilities. This paper proposes a new approach based on the Kullback-Leibler data for classifying inspectors by panel tests. A method of deciding the same size in the test inspection lot with given risks is also suggested. The recommended procedure is simple, practical and relatively effective.