Peer review and gender bias : A study on 145 scholarly journals

• Scholarly journals are often blamed for a gender gap in publication rates, but it is unclear whether peer reviewand editorial processes contribute to it. This article examines gender bias in peer review with data for 145 journalsin various fields of research, including about 1.7 million authors and 740,000 referees. We reconstructed threepossible sources of bias, i.e., the editorial selection of referees, referee recommendations, and editorial decisions,and examined all their possible relationships. Results showed that manuscripts written by women as solo authorsor coauthored by women were treated even more favorably by referees and editors. Although there were somedifferences between fields of research, our findings suggest that peer review and editorial processes do notpenalize manuscripts by women. However, increasing gender diversity in editorial teams and referee pools could helpjournals inform potential authors about their attention to these factors and so stimulate participation by women.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Genusstudier (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Gender Studies (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Gender Studies

Genusvetenskap

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)