A semi-automatic web based tool for the selection of research projects reviewers

Area of Science:

• Medical research evaluation
• Grant and fellowship assessment
• Scientific peer review

Background:

• Evaluating research proposals and selecting qualified reviewers for grants and fellowships remains a significant challenge.
• Current methods for reviewer selection can be subjective and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a semi-automatic, web-based tool to assist in the selection of appropriate reviewers for research proposals.
• To improve the objectivity and efficiency of the reviewer selection process, particularly for oncology fellowships.

Main Methods:

• The core methodology involves matching Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) Descriptors from reviewers' publications with research keywords.
• A citation-related index was incorporated to further refine reviewer suitability and exclude unqualified candidates.
• The system was implemented as a web-based tool to support the evaluation of fellowship applicants.

Main Results:

• The developed tool successfully matched MeSH Descriptors and research keywords to identify potentially suitable reviewers.
• The citation index effectively helped in discarding reviewers with insufficient impact or relevance.
• The system provided valuable support for evaluating candidates in the oncology fellowship program.

Conclusions:

• The semi-automatic tool offers a more objective and efficient approach to reviewer selection in scientific research.
• Matching MeSH Descriptors and utilizing citation metrics can significantly enhance the quality of reviewer assessments.
• This system has practical applications in streamlining the evaluation process for research funding and academic positions.