A reciprocal matrix approach to the analysis of hand-felt softness of facial tissues

摘要

In previous studies of household tissue softness using the hand-felt approach, n2 or n-1 paired comparisons and ranking methods were employed to distinguish the order of the samples. However, subjective perceptions and objective sample deviations could not easily be excluded. In the present study, a reciprocal matrix analysis, a paired-comparison method to the n(n-l)/2 power, was found to be capable of compensating for the biases of testers and samples and generating a more-reasonable and -robust ranking. Also, through the calculation of weighting eigenvectors, hand-felt softness of the samples could be effectively quantified. The proposed pre-test training materials and method were found to effectively enhance the perceptive abilities of the examiners. The experience accrued in the process can fortify standard test procedures and establish professional panels to evaluate hand-felt softness.