proefleiders

Proefleiders is a Dutch term referring to the person who leads a proef, meaning a test, experiment, or sensory evaluation. The exact duties and scope of the role vary with the context, but the common thread is leadership and responsibility for how the test is conducted.

In scientific and clinical contexts, a proefleider plans and oversees the study or trial, ensures adherence to the protocol, supervises data collection, and monitors safety and ethics. The proefleider coordinates contact with the research team, participants, and possibly ethics committees, and is typically responsible for the integrity of the procedures and the accuracy of the results. In many settings the proefleider is equivalent to what in English is called the principal investigator or study director.

In sensory evaluation or product testing, the proefleider acts as a moderator or panel leader. This involves standardizing procedures, controlling the testing environment, instructing participants, recording responses, and guarding against bias to obtain reliable results.

The term is used primarily in Dutch-speaking regions and may have regional nuances. Depending on the field, related terms such as onderzoeker (investigator), PI (principal investigator), testleider, or moderator may be used in other languages or contexts. The role typically requires knowledge of research methods, ethics and data handling, and, in clinical trials, compliance with Good Clinical Practice.