How should we rate research?: Pedigree: paternity and progeny

doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7551.1215-a

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Woody Caan (a.w.caan@anglia.ac.uk), professor of public health

Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ

EDITOR—What is meant by quality in health research?1 2 For social scientists, the Economic and Social Research Council detailed multiple problems with American metrics.3 It introduced the concept of esteem: something dynamic and cumulative (not just sitting on public committees). Pondering what is admirable, I propose two assessments, both stemming from encountering the health scientist I most “esteemed”: Peter Medawar.4 These same qualities were …