Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delmarva Sensory™ ?
Delmarva Sensory™ is a place where food products are evaluated through consumer testing in order to determine if they are the best products possible.
What kind of tests do you do?
Most tests we conduct focus on how a product tastes, but may include how you prepare items, what you purchase, or how a product looks. Tests can be in the form of a nationwide survey, test at our facility, focus group, home use test (take product home), or other web surveys. All taste testing is completed in English.
What is a Central Location Test?
A central location test is a test that is conducted at our facility. You will be shown the product and asked about your opinion of the product. You will give your opinion by answering questions on a computer.
What is a Focus Group?
A focus group is a setting in which a moderator leads a discussion with a small group of panelists in order to get their opinion on a topic. Topics may cover products, packaging or concepts of new products that have not been developed.
What is a Home Use Test?
A Home Use Test (HUT) is a test in which the chosen panelists pick up product from our facility, take the product home, and prepare it in their own kitchens. Panelists are asked to answer a questionnaire by giving their opinion on the packaging, how the product was prepared, how the product tasted, etc.
How do I sign up for a test?
After you have registered as a taste panelist, you will need to log into the delmarvasensory.com website. Any tests that you qualify for will be listed, along with the date and time slots available. You can sign up whenever you choose.
How much do I get paid for participating in a test?
The compensation amount varies depending on the test. Compensation is provided to you electronically by email by an e-gift card.
How long does a test take?
For most tests, expect 30 minutes. If the length of time will be longer than 30 minutes, we will state this on the test schedule.
What do you do with the information gathered?
Your opinion is used to improve products and understand products better. Many products are sold in grocery stores and restaurants. We do not sell your information to other companies and will not use the information to sell you products. Please read our Privacy Statement.
Can my child do taste tests?
If they are over the age of 18, they can register as an adult and taste products in our adult panels. If they are between the ages of 5 and 17, they can become a member of our children's database.
How does my child register to be a panelist?
In order for a child to become a panelist, a parent or guardian must register first. Once the parent or guardian is registered, the child can then be registered. When filling out the application form for a child, click the box to indicate that it is a child application.Please ensure the parent's full name and User ID is correctly indicated in the box which appears. For questions on the application form which are not applicable, use the 'Under 18 (N/A)' option in the drop-downs.
How do I change the name on my account?
Have you recently married or divorced? You can change the name on your account by logging into the Delmarva Sensory™ website and selecting 'Account'. You will then need to answer your secret question and click 'Next'. On the next screen you will be able to modify your name. Click 'Modify' to save the changes. If the name on your ID does not match the name on our schedule you will not be allowed to participate in testing. No exceptions.
