Hierarchical Multiple Factor Analysis:: application to the comparison of sensory profiles

An extension of Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA) to the case where the data at hand are organized into a hierarchical structure is discussed. It is called Hierarchical Multiple Factor Analysis (HMFA). This method of analysis balances the role of the groups of variables at each level of the hierarchy and provides outputs that may be interpretable from an overall perspective (overall hierarchical structure) as well as from various perspectives pertaining to the various levels of the hierarchy. It is illustrated on the basis of a real data set which stems from a sensory profiling experiment involving, on the one hand, several trained panels and, on the other hand, an untrained panel. The results of the analysis are reported and with respect to our data they show the extent to which profiles provided by an untrained panel are similar to those provided by trained panels. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.