What does it mean exactly to contribute research assistance to an ice cream tasting?

I noticed that in both of Julia Moskin's articles, on the price of ice cream and on a survey of different packaged brands' strawberry versions, someone named Bao Ong contributed research assistance.  I wonder what that entailed. Are they hiring more researchers?  What are Bao's qualifications? And where do I send my CV?

For the record, Haagen Dazs (both regular and their "Five" edition), Blue Marble, which I recently reviewed, and Ciao Bella came in tops.