Towards Objective Science: Automated Detection and Mitigation of Hype in Biomedical Research 
  • Principal Investigator
  • 2025-04 -- 2029-03
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science//科学研究費助成事業（学術研究助成基金助成金）基盤研究(B)
  • ​14,400,000 Yen
Abstract: The use of overtly promotional language (‘hype’) in biomedical research is increasing. Examples include adjectives such as groundbreaking, unparalleled, transformative and paramount. Such language has the potential to undermine objective evaluation of evidence, impede development of further studies and erode trust in science. The purpose of this research is to develop an automated tool to detect and mitigate hype in biomedical texts. Using natural language processing (NLP), machine learning and large language models, the system will flag hype in biomedical texts and suggest more objective alternative wording. Specifically, the research will (1) extend current lexicon of hype terms, (2) create an annotated dataset of hype in biomedical texts, (3) construct a system to identify and provide feedback on promotional language, and (4) assess the system's impact. The project aims to provide a solution that can be adapted for use in other scientific disciplines and other languages, with the overall aim of fostering a more transparent and reliable scientific discourse.
Hype in medical research funding applications 
  • Principal Investigator
  • 2021-04 -- 2025-03
  • JSPS/Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(C)
  • 3,510,000Yen
Abstract: In medical research, the competition for funding is intense and only a small proportion of grant proposals receive funding. To increase their chances of success, researchers may be inclined to ‘hype’ their proposed research – that is, employ language which overtly emphasises or promotes positive aspects of the research (e.g. robust, novel, innovative, unprecedented). While the growth of this phenomenon has been documented in public genres, such as research articles and news reports, it has not yet been examined in the less visible genre of funding applications. This study seeks to assess whether and how authors of funded medical research projects employ hype to ‘sell’ their proposed study. More specifically, by conducting a large-scale, retrospective corpus analysis of the abstracts of projects funded by the National Institutes for Health (NIH), the study will (1) assess how authors use hype in grant proposals, and (2) identify factors that influence the use of hype. Findings will help inform review processes of funding agencies and have potential implications for writers of grant proposals.
Understanding why authors of medical research articles use hypes and how these influence readers 
  • Principal Investigator
  • 2018 -- 2021
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(C)
  • 2,730,000Yen
Abstract: Research articles serve both to inform and to convince. Consequently, authors may be inclined to employ language which emphasizes, promotes or overstates what they see as positive aspects of their research – a phenomenon referred to as ‘hype’. However, this may impose judgements on readers and may undermine objective and disinterested evaluation of new knowledge, and, in the extreme, may represent a form of academic dishonesty. This study seeks to understand why hypes are used in medical literature and what effect they have on consumers. More specifically, the study will elucidate (1) authors’ motivations for the use of hype, and (2) how ‘hype’ influences consumers of medical research. Findings will help inform editorial and review processes as well as having implications for how this phenomenon should be treated in formal medical writing curricula.