Our Services
Consumer Research
Global Reach: Flexible testing executed locally at our northern California hub or scaled across U.S. and international markets.
Rapid Recruitment: Efficient participant sourcing using our extensive regional and global database of verified consumers.
Advanced Analytics: Sophisticated modeling techniques to uncover nuanced preference and demographic patterns.
Versatile Testing: Tailored Central Location Testing (CLT) and Home Use Testing (HUT) protocols designed around your objectives.
Defensible Insights: Fast data collection paired with rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific methodologies.
Why Choose Us?
Decades of
Academic Expertise
Our team brings more than 30 years of UC Davis research excellence in consumer behavior and sensory perception. We leverage pioneering methodologies, a deep history of peer-reviewed publications, and the statistical rigor that has shaped how modern brands understand their customers. Every project benefits directly from this independent academic foundation.
Our Applications
Is Consumer Research Right For Your Project?
Explore tailored applications designed to maximize the marked performance of your product.
New Product Launch
Validate consumer acceptance and liking before bringing a product to market.
Product Reformulation
Assess whether ingredient or manufacturing changes shift consumer preference thresholds.
Competitive Benchmarking
Evaluate exactly how your product performs against key market competitors.
Market Segmentation
Identify distinct consumer preference groups to optimize target product positioning.
Packaging & Concept Testing
Measure how visual concepts and packaging designs influence sensory expectations.
Claims Substantiation
Generate statistically robust, legally defensible consumer data to support high-stakes marketing claims.
How It Works
Achieve Success in Four Steps
Our proven four-step process ensures that your business achieves its full potential. From initial assessment to ongoing support, we provide a clear and structured path to success.
Initial
Scoping
We conduct an in-depth consultation to clarify your product profiles, target demographics, and core research questions.
1
Experimental Design
Our scientists develop a customized testing protocol and statistical analysis plan tailored to your specific goals.
2
Fieldwork & Execution
Our experts manage everything from rapid recruitment to strict sample preparation, ensuring methodologically rigorous testing.
3
Actionable Findings
We deliver a clear, comprehensive report featuring deep data insights and concrete recommendations to guide your business decisions.
4
Our Experience
Check Our Case Studies
See how DSI has helped brands make confident product decisions through sensory science.
Cracker Product Optimization
September 2025
Orange Juice Quality Control
October 2024
Salsa Product Parity
November 2025
Testimonial
“The strategic planning and market analysis provided by Davis Sensory Institute were game-changers for our expansion. Their team is professional, knowledgeable, and truly invested in our success.”
Sarah K., COO of Global Markets Inc.
DAVIS SENSORY INSTITUTE .LLC
Contact
dsiteam@davissensory.com
(530) 750-6503
946 Olive Drive, Suite 9
Davis, CA 95616
Hours
Monday - Friday
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Note: Consumer studies may affect business hours.
© Davis Sensory Institute 2026
Architecture Design Credits: Maria
Selected Photo Credits: Julia Ogrydziak
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions about our sensory methodologies, study timelines, and project scoping.
A standard consumer study typically spans 4 to 6 weeks from initial experimental design to final report delivery. This timeline includes roughly 2 weeks for protocol setup and targeted participant recruitment, 1 to 2 weeks for field execution (either Central Location Testing or Home Use Testing), and 1 to 2 weeks for in-depth statistical analysis and reporting. Timelines can adjust depending on the specificity of your target demographic and the type and number of products involved.
The ideal number of consumers depends on your specific business risk, the expected effect size, and whether the study is exploratory or intended for claim substantiation. Typically, early-stage/pilot screening studies utilize 50 to 60 consumers, standard Central Location Tests (CLTs) require 75 to 120 consumers, and robust preference-driven or regional benchmarking studies may scale to 300 or more consumers across multiple markets.
Yes. Home Use Testing is an excellent methodology for products that require real-world preparation, extended usage periods, or repeated exposure (such as personal care routines or multi-serve foods). DSI manages the entire remote pipeline - including secure sample blind-coding, temperature-controlled shipping, and digital mobile data collection - ensuring that remote execution meets the same strict compliance and data integrity standards as our on-site laboratory testing.
Yes. While many studies are executed directly within our specialized Davis laboratory, we routinely scale our projects to meet broader market needs. Through our trusted network of domestic and international research partners, we can replicate our strict testing protocols to reach consumer populations anywhere in the world.
Yes, we support both models. DSI can manage your qualitative research from end to end, including discussion guide design, expert moderation, and final thematic reporting. Alternatively, corporate insights teams and independent agencies can rent our versatile multi-purpose space to conduct focus groups using their own internal moderators. In all cases, DSI handles the entire participant recruitment process from our deep regional database to ensure you have precisely targeted, verified consumers in the room.