Live Preference Mapping 1-day Masterclass – 28th-29th Jan 2026

Spend two half-days discussing preference mapping with our experienced trainer Anne Hasted. This deep dive looks at more than just the basics, but starts from the beginning – so is suitable for beginners and those who have done some preference mapping before. This live session gives you plenty of opportunities to ask Anne the questions you have had for so long! As well as the live lectures and discussions with Anne you will receive workshops in XLSTAT with annotated solutions – great for future reference!

Part 1: 28th Jan 2026 1300-1730 (GMT+1) (including 30 min break halfway)

Topics included:

Getting Started

• Quick Modelling Refresher – key statistics
• Modelling liking v sensory descriptors -fundamental problems. Solution- Principal Components!

Preference Mapping

• Data requirements

• Preference Mapping using principal components – different prediction metrics – means v individual data. Positives and negatives of each

• • Preference Mapping using means – introduction to PREFMAP models. XLSTAT implementation
  • Better graphics using Qi LovR app (licence as part of course fee)
  • Preference Mapping using individual liking scores – evaluating model fits, displaying results
  • Optimal predictions: What are sensory characteristics of our best product(s)?  XLSTAT results v reverse engineering.  How much is it liked?
  • Other applications- beyond liking

Part 2: 29th Jan 2026 1300-1730 (GMT+1) (including 30 min break halfway)

Topics included:

Preference Modelling

• Partial Least Squares as an alternative approach
• How it works
• Interpretation of model fits – key statistics to look for.
• Pluses and minuses v Preference Mapping (PREFMAP)

Summary

• Other comparative methods (Experimental Design, Text mining…)

Pre-requisite: familiarity with correlation, variance and covariance  as covered in module C2, and topics covered in statistical refresher module C01 

Software used: XLSTAT and Qi LovR app (see below)