Posters, Papers, Presentations and Studies
 

Here is a list of definitions of these various words and phases that we use.  Prepared by John Fistere.


Posters -

Associated with medical conferences is often a "Poster Session" room where individuals present information they wish others to see and perhaps comment on. It is unreviewed information, and the presenters can range from flakes to the most responsible of researchers. It doesn't take much to be accepted for a poster session, but the information can be interesting.  NOTE:  A few of the posters will move forward to a regular study and be published in a Medical journal - but this is just a very few.


Pilot study -

This is a small-scale study that may be instituted to get preliminary results at low cost, or simply to evaluate methods for carrying out larger studies. One should not give great weight to pilot study results, but if the results are dramatic, it could mean something.   NOTE:  Nothing for consideration on this.


Abstracts -

Abstracts are condensed versions of a research study. Research studies submitted to meetings, for poster sessions, are always in abstract form. Abstracts must also be a section included with all articles submitted for publication.  NOTE: Have to be careful with abstracts - they do not tell the whole story and frequently when you read the complete study - you come away with a different view.


Submitted -

An abstract has been submitted for presentation or a paper has been submitted for publication, but it has not been accepted yet, and may not be.  NOTE: The time element from the end of the study to the publication can be several months and sometimes up to a year.


Presented -

At medical conferences a large number of papers are presented (can be as hush as 2000). Usually they are published in the conference proceedings but they are not considered published in a peer reviewed journal.


Published, peer reviewed, or not peer reviewed -

Peer reviewed means that before publication the submitted paper is provided to several competent reviewers. Depending on their evaluations, the paper may or may not be approved for publication. Examples of peer-reviewed journals are:

Journal of the American Medical Association

New England Journal of Medicine

Lancet (British)

The Prostate

Journal of Urology

NOTE:  The above Journals are prominent journals and have a high rate of acceptance by the Medical profession.  But not all of the other Journals are of the same quality.  They range from excellent as the above to downright sleazy who will accept anything.


On the other hand there are many publications and newsletters, private and commercial, in which papers are published by authors at all levels of competence. There is no peer review. Some of these papers represent original work, but most are the author's views based upon other publications, private communications and the author's own experience. Most often the intent is to educate the public. The significance of these papers depends on the credentials of the author, and whether the publishing organization has a commercial interest in the views presented.


NOTE: For additional information on studies, etc. click "here".


Trials:

Phase 1 - Evaluates the safety and toxicity of the drug. There can be preliminary efficacy results.


Phase 2 - Evaluates the efficacy of the drug. Does it work?


Phase 3 - Determines the optimum dosage of the drug.

NOTE:  There are certain statistical rules that Trials must follow in order for the results to be valid.  One additional note - in a trial many times success is measured if the PSA has been reduced by 50%.


In House -

Depends on the context. In general it means work done within a company or institution, without relying on outside program funding, or perhaps other researchers or physicians.  NOTE:  There is no control or review of a "In House" report.  My experienced has been they are not very reliable.


White paper -

Depends on the context. It's usually one man's opinion on anything -  without any review.


Cheers,

John Fistere

NOTES by Don Cooley


Page Reviewed and/or Updated:

September 21, 2008



Your Questions - Let Us Help    

Site Map -      

  FOR FURTHER RESEARCH click on:  RSS Feeds  Other Links 

This site is updated regularly, and every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct. In order to continue this web site I accept donations - click "here" for how to donate.  I do not accept any responsibility for errors or omissions that may occur.   If you find errors please notify us by clicking "here" and sending us the information.  Fair Use Notice and Warning   ©Copyright 1998 - 2008