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Abstract
Internet-based sensory scorecards administered through Qualtrics (Qualtrics, Provo, UT), a generic survey software program, on iPads are a potential alternative to time-consuming and error-prone paper-based sensory data collection. Using a counter-balanced, repeated measures design, the concurrent validity (using paper scorecards as the criterion measure), usability, error rate, and time requirements of Qualtrics scorecards were assessed for 9-point structured (n=113) and unstructured (n=108) hedonic line scales, 15-point unstructured descriptive line scale (n=6), ranking test (n=107), triangle test (n=98), and tetrad test (n=108). Statistical analyses (paired t-tests, Friedmans Test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests) indicated that panelists responses between paper and Qualtrics scorecards were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Panelists rated the usability of the Qualtrics scorecards favorably. Total time requirements were reduced by 68.8% with the use of the Qualtrics scorecard; however, the error rate was not reduced. These results indicate that Qualtrics scorecards are a valid sensory data collection method.