Scientific Abstract to Full Paper: Conversion Rate over a 3 Year Period in a Malaysian Scientific Conference

Introduction: Abstracts are submitted to conferences for knowledge dissemination. The proportion of abstracts obtaining publication reflects a conference’s scientific value. A study was conducted to determine the publication rate of abstracts submitted to the National Conference for Clinical Research (NCCR) over 3 consecutive years. Materials and Method: All presented poster abstracts from 2014 to 2016 were analysed. First and second authors for each abstract were searched via Pubmed, Google Scholar and Scopus to determine publication status. Other data collected included study type, origin of institutions conducting the study (e.g. Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), etc.) and involvement  of a research centre, specifically Clinical Research Centre (CRC) under the MOH. Results: Table 1 describes the characteristics of all 323 abstracts analysed. 57 (17.6%) of these were published. The proportion of abstracts entering publication was 19.5% in 2014, 11.5% in 2015, and 27.8%  in 2016. Table 2 presents further characteristics of published abstracts. These abstracts were subdivided into duration taken for publication and categorised as either “18 months or less”, or “above 18 months”. There were no significant associations between reported parameters and time to publication. Figure 1 displays the distribution of publications according to impact factor and time to publication. Publication rates were generally highest during the first 10 to 12 months after the date of conference, as shown in Figure 2. Discussion & Conclusion: Table 1 describes the characteristics of all 323 abstracts analysed. 57 (17.6%) of these were published. The proportion of abstracts entering publication was 19.5% in 2014, 11.5% in 2015, and 27.8%  in 2016. Table 2 presents further characteristics of published abstracts. These abstracts were subdivided into duration taken for publication and categorised as either “18 months or less”, or “above 18 months”. There were no significant associations between reported parameters and time to publication. Figure 1 displays the distribution of publications according to impact factor and time to publication. Publication rates were generally highest during the first 10 to 12 months after the date of conference, as shown in Figure 2. The proportion of NCCR abstracts which were converted to full publication is slightly less than half of the overall proportion reported in a Cochrane systematic review (37.3%).1 This may be due to the inclusion of medical conferences with highly specific disciplines in the review. Such conferences tend to yield higher publication rates.2 • Full research abstracts are associated with higher chances of publication. These abstracts may have featured characteristics such as good sample sizes and appropriate study designs, which would have increased their chances of obtaining publication as compared to other study types. 1  • An abstract having a first author from a research centre such as CRC increases the likelihood of publication. This may be due to these authors applying their research expertise in the study and having access to funds for publication. 3   • More encouragement to publish should be given to authors who submit abstracts to the NCCR.  • Factors that are associated with increasing likelihood of publication should be acted upon. These may include assisting authors through means such as providing training, funding and incentives to publish.  
Abstracts