The author uses the metaphors of the 'masquerade' which can be decribed as a "social party composed of persons masked or costumed" and where "guests wear masks to disguise their identities" (Funk & Wagnalls, 1968). Within this context the use of the concept of 'tasting like a connoisseur' to judge the merit of the guests is applicable as long as the 'tasting' conforms to scientific criteria and does not become simply an objective opinion. The author sets out a set of objective assessment criteria which is used as the tool with which to undertake the 'tasting'.