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Bias against research on gender bias

Author

Listed:
  • Aleksandra Cislak

    (Nicolaus Copernicus University)

  • Magdalena Formanowicz

    (University of Bern)

  • Tamar Saguy

    (Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya)

Abstract

The bias against women in academia is a documented phenomenon that has had detrimental consequences, not only for women, but also for the quality of science. First, gender bias in academia affects female scientists, resulting in their underrepresentation in academic institutions, particularly in higher ranks. The second type of gender bias in science relates to some findings applying only to male participants, which produces biased knowledge. Here, we identify a third potentially powerful source of gender bias in academia: the bias against research on gender bias. In a bibliometric investigation covering a broad range of social sciences, we analyzed published articles on gender bias and race bias and established that articles on gender bias are funded less often and published in journals with a lower Impact Factor than articles on comparable instances of social discrimination. This result suggests the possibility of an underappreciation of the phenomenon of gender bias and related research within the academic community. Addressing this meta-bias is crucial for the further examination of gender inequality, which severely affects many women across the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Aleksandra Cislak & Magdalena Formanowicz & Tamar Saguy, 2018. "Bias against research on gender bias," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 115(1), pages 189-200, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:115:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s11192-018-2667-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-018-2667-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Wang, Yukai & Yang, Zhongkai & Liu, Lanjian & Wang, Xianwen, 2020. "Gender bias in patenting process," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 14(3).
    4. Giuseppina Campisi & Fortunato Buttacavoli & Massimo Attanasio & Mirella Milioto & Silvia Radosti & Salvatore Amato & Vera Panzarella, 2023. "Gender and Sex in Medical Practice: An Exploratory Study on Knowledge, Behavior, and Attitude among Sicilian Physicians," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-11, January.
    5. Aaron Baugh & Reginald F. Baugh, 2020. "Assessment of Diversity Outcomes in American Medical School Admissions: Applying the Grutter Legitimacy Principles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-17, June.

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