156 ABSTRACT ASSESSMENT – HOW OBJECTIVE CAN IT BE?

Abstract

Introduction: The abstract is the window for the reader to assess the work.

Hypothesis tested: Specialists and non specialists in a scientific field should assess abstracts similarly if the abstract is well prepared.

Study design: A comparative study by members of a society council (n=9) and subspecialist working groups (epidemiology, n=5: neonatology, n=6).

Setting: Abstracts submitted to the ESPR, 1993.

“Subjects”: 14 epidemiology abstracts and 111 neonatal abstracts.

Measurements: Instructions to the council and subspecialist working group members were the same - “Grade abstract for quality out of 6 (1, very poor; 2, poor; 3, adequate; 4, good; 5, very good; 6, excellent)”. Comparison (mean, SD) was by paired t test and correlation.The SD around the mean indicated uncertainty about the “quality” of the work.

Conclusion: Although there was a highly significant correlation, non specialists in the field perceive work as significantly less good/important. This judgement does not appear to be related to uncertainty about the quality of the work.

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