Pretest questionnaire for anti-ageing cosmetic claims substantiation: a description of validation of efficacy and sensory perception questionnaires

The application of questionnaires for the assessment and collection of data on target audiences and new products is a very common practice in the field of cosmetics. However, to obtain reliable results, it is essential to pretest the instrument to detect possible problems and inconsistencies. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the entire pre-testing process of two questionnaires used in the cosmetic claims substantiation area; a skin self-assessment questionnaire and a sensory analysis questionnaire for cosmetic formulations. According to the pretest protocol analysis, 15 women were interviewed for each questionnaire. All difficulties were recorded, categorized, and analyzed. Subsequently, the inconsistencies found were corrected in the final version of the instrument. During the validation of the questionnaires, the biggest problem faced was related to the application of scales and technical concepts within the questions. This difficulty means that respondents are unable to represent their real perception of the evaluated product. This problem can be solved by adding detailed explanations in the footer or within the wording of each question. In conclusion, learning and applying the pre-test in questionnaires can ensure greater reliability and clarity in research results in the cosmetic area. Keywords: Questionnaires, cosmetics, substantiation of claims, self-efficacy, sensory attributes