Trends in the Use of Promotional Language (Hype) in Abstracts of Successful National Institutes of Health Grant Applications, 1985-2020.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

The integrity of the grant application process is important to the success of the entire research enterprise. However, little information is available concerning the prevalence and evolution of subjective or promotional language ("hype") that has the potential to undermine objectivity in the writing and evaluation of grant applications.

Objective

To assess changes over time in the use of hype in abstracts of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant applications.

Design, setting, and participants

This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of promotional adjectives in abstracts in the NIH archive from 1985 to 2020.

Main outcomes and measures

From all abstracts in the NIH RePORTER (Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools: Expenditures and Res

SUBMITTER: Millar N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9412227 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature