APSA Midwest Regional Meeting - 2025

Abstract Scoring Criteria

Background/Objective

5 rating

• The background strongly demonstrates that the literature has been reviewed.
• The background is strong and thorough in providing an overview of the problem.
• Based on the presented background and knowledge gap, a specific, clear, and testable research objective is stated.

4 rating

• The background demonstrates that the literature has been reviewed.
• The background is clear and introduces the problem.
• Based on the presented background and knowledge gap, a clear and testable research objective is stated.

3 rating

• The background partially demonstrates that the literature has been reviewed.
• The background is clear and provides a brief introduction to the problem.
• Based on the presented background and knowledge gap, a clear and testable research objective is stated.

2 rating

• The background very weakly demonstrates that the literature has been reviewed.
•  The background provides a weak introduction to the problem that is not informed.
• A clear, but untestable research objective is stated.

1 rating

• The background does not demonstrate that the literature has been reviewed.
• The background does not provide an overview of the problem.
• A vague, untestable research objective is stated.

Methods/Results

5 rating

• The methods provide a strong and clear explanation of the study design and are very clearly described.
• The results strictly follow the presentation of the methods.
• The results are clear and connected to the purpose of the study.  

4 rating

• The methods provide a clear explanation of the study design and are well described.
• The results mainly follow the presentation of the methods.
•  The results are clear and connected to the purpose of the study.

3 rating

• The methods provide an adequate explanation of the study design.
• The results attempt to present findings but might be unclear or some information is missing from the results.
• The results follow the presentation of the methods.

2 rating

• The methods provide an unorganized explanation of the overall study design.
• The results attempt to present findings but might be unclear or some information is missing from the results.
• Results loosely follow the presentation of methods.  

1 rating

• The methods provide an unclear and unorganized explanation of the study design.
•  The results do not present concrete data, they are unclear findings and/or do not relate to the study purpose.
• The results do not follow the presentation of the methods.

Discussion/Conclusion

5 rating

• The conclusion is fully supported by the results and does not overstate the findings.
• Provides knowledge that likely will change action.

4 rating

• The conclusion is mostly supported by the study results.
• Provides knowledge that may change action.

3 rating

• The conclusion is only partially supported by the study results.
•  Provides knowledge that likely will change action.

2 rating

• The conclusion is weakly supported by the study results.
• Provides knowledge that likely will not change action.

1 rating

• The conclusion is not supported by the study results.
• Provides knowledge that likely will not change action.

Significance/Interest to the audience

5 rating

• The study will enhance clinical, research or educational behaviors.
• The study will attract the attention and interest of the audience.
• The study is well-structured, logical and highlights the importance of the proposed work.

4 rating

• The study will very likely enhance clinical, research or educational behaviors.
• The study will very likely attract the attention and interest of the audience.
• The study is partially well-structured and highlights the importance of the proposed work.

3 rating

• The study will somewhat likely enhance clinical, research or educational behaviors.
• The study will attract the attention and interest of the audience.
• The study is structured and highlights the importance of the proposed work.

2 rating

• The study will not likely enhance clinical, research or educational behaviors.
• The study will attract the attention and interest of a narrow audience.
• The study is weakly structured and does not highlight the importance of the proposed work.

1 rating

• Not likely to enhance all/or either clinical, research or educational behaviors.
• The study will not attract the attention and interest of the audience.
• The study demonstrates some effort to highlight the importance of the proposed work.