Continuing Education

March 2012

Hands on Techniques for Investigating, Mapping and Modelling Consumer and Sensory Data

This “hands on” training course is designed to give you the software, knowledge and expertise to analyse your own sensory and consumer trial data. You receive a one year licence for XLSTAT Sensory and a fully licensed copy of our Turf Calculator. The statistical techniques are clearly explained (we keep the mathematics to a minimum!) together with examples of applications and comparative merits of the different methods available. We provide both course hand outs and step by step practice exercises with annotated solutions. Our aim is to enable you to analyse your own data more effectively as soon as you get home from the course.

Location: Cliftons Training Facilities, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
From: March 20, 2012 to March 22, 2012
Offered by: Dr. Hal MacFie Consulting
Target audience: Beginner
Cost: $2550; 25% discount for members of academia

Further information: http://www.halmacfie.com/pages/melbournemar2012.html

A Powerful Framework for Sensory Product Testing

In this 3-day course, you will achieve a deeper understanding of traditional discrimination and rating methods by learning a common framework in which to interpret results across methodologies. In particular, you will learn how to select the most suitable and powerful discrimination methodology based on project objectives, how to develop standards to detect when sensory differences and ratings exceed a consumer-relevant acceptability threshold, how to assess and manage risks in product testing decisions, and effectively use the “no preference/difference” option. Invited speakers include Dr. Michael O’Mahony, Food Science and Technology professor at UC Davis and Mr. Frank Rossi, Associate Director, Applied Quantitative Sciences at Kraft Foods.

Location: The Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
From: March 26, 2012 to March 28, 2012
Offered by: The Institute for Perception
Target audience: Intermediate
Cost: $1350; 50% discount applied to each additional registrant from the same company, Academic discount available

Further information: http://ifpress.com/short-courses/

Descriptive Analysis and Panel Training

In this 1.5 day course, you will learn new product profiling techniques through an in-depth exploration of descriptive panel methodologies. Specifically, you will connect a substantial body of research from the fields of cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience to the field of descriptive analysis and panel training. During this course you will understand and identify the strengths and weaknesses of descriptive analysis; reach beyond traditional techniques to improve panel training; learn to know your panelists better through advanced panel monitoring techniques; and become familiar with novel applications of descriptive analysis to category appraisal projects. Invited speakers include Dr. F. Gregory Ashby, Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, UC Santa Barbara.

Location: The Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
From: March 29, 2012 to March 30, 2012
Offered by: The Institute for Perception
Target audience: Intermediate
Cost: $850; 50% discount applied to each additional registrant from the same company, Academic discount available

Further information: http://ifpress.com/short-courses/

April 2012

Ad Claims: Strategic Development & Practical Application

Advertising claims influence consumers and are designed to have an effect on purchase behavior. Knowing how to design, execute and interpret research in support of advertising claims is essential to increase your chance of a successful claim while reducing the chance of a challenged claim. This 2 ½ day course, taught by industry experts will guide you through the process and support your creation of winning claims. The instructors specifically joined in this program because of their passion for the subject and their experience and depth of knowledge in developing claim strategies. Case studies will provide added insight into claims defense. All participants will have the opportunity to interact with the instructors and discuss issues/problems and solutions.

Location: New Jersey area; exact location to be announced, United States
From: April 2, 2012 to April 4, 2012
Offered by: Sensory Spectrum
Target audience: Beginner
Cost: $2,350 USD

Further information: See page 8 in the 2012 Course Booklet; http://www.sensoryspectrum.com/docs/SensorySpectrum2012CourseBooklet.pdf

Targeting the Consumer: Emerging Issues and Methods in Sensory and Consumer Science

This is a three-day intensive course designed to update you on practical advances in Consumer Science, Psychology of Food Choice and Market Research and New Product Development Techniques to help you conduct, analyse and use consumer research more effectively.

Location: MediaTek Training Facilities, 90 Broad Street, 11th Floor, New York, New York, United States
From: April 17, 2012 to April 19, 2012
Offered by: Dr. Hal MacFie Consulting
Target audience: Advanced
Cost: $2400; 25% discount for members of academia

Further information: http://www.halmacfie.com/pages/newyorkapr2012.html