Again product testing

After discussion the objective of conduct a product test, I would like to share about how to conduct a product test. Product test can be done with a lot of ways. Whatever way that we choose, we shouldnreally consider the reality of the product while it was being used ...... So how consumers usually use the product.
CLT or home placement will depend on whether the product is simple in using. Of course we will not conduct a CLT test for soap because we can not simulate 'bathing' environment in CLT. Foods product, e.g. Snacks or beverage probably are easier to be tested in CLT. So if the product 'too personal' or need 'special treatment' that is too hazzle to simulate in the CLT environment, a home placement test should be conducted.
And yes the home placement test needs more time to be conducted than CLT. Whatever way or method chosen, researcher should make sure that the respondent would used the product tested in a correct way. The explanation before the product is tested should be read and explained carefully.
There were many times I found that the product tested was shared with other family member therefore the respondent did not have enough experience in using the product.
Who should be recruited to be our respondent in the product test. Main users should be considered since they are the one who will notice if the product change. So they are the most reliable person to be asked for. Competitor product's users should be also considered, they are still the category users aren't they?

I never include a rejector of category as my respondent in a product test. I'm sure they will give more negative scores than the positive one

"PRODUCT TEST"

What we called 'Product Testing' is anything related to product evaluation, so it could be taste test, usually if the product is edible. It could be a fragrance test if the product contains any fragrance and the fragrance becomes an important attribute in the product itself. Or it could be the 'formulation/ ingredient' which constitute the product. So basically product test relates closely with human sensory (something that can be taste, see, feel, and smell), that is why sometimes we also call the sensory test.

Product test is conducted because of some reasons, e.g.:
1. Company would like to launch a new product.
2. As a tools to monitor products in the market ...... competitor also monitor our product for future inprovement and we also have to monitor our product vis-a-vis competitors. Especially nowadays, consumers are more complex and demanding, there is always a change in community so our product should catch up will all those demand and changes. Our product soon become history if we could not catch up with changes.
3. If there is a re-launch product or there is improvement in the product.
4. Want to find a substitute cost eficient ingredient to save the production cost. Of course the company would never let their loyal customers down just because they want to do a saving.

So product test is very important activity to be conducted by the company that want their product exist in the market for a long time ..... especially in very dynamic society nowadays

One thing that should be in the researcher mind when doing the product test is try to conduct the research or simulated the real situation when product being used. e.g. if consumers drink the product in cold, then let consumers do it like they used to drink that. So users/ consumers experience in using the product should be similar whether it is on test or in the real usage. It that case bias can be minimalized.

All of other notes that I will write based on my experiences working in this marketing research field .....