Gender Differences in the Authorship of Original Research in Pediatric Journals, 2001-2016

Michael Fishman, Wadsworth A. Williams, Denise M. Goodman, Lainie Friedman Ross*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

111 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives To examine the gender of authors of original research in 3 high-impact pediatric journals between 2001 and 2016, given the importance of publishing on academic promotion, and to compare authorship gender with the percentage of women on editorial boards and with academic faculty composition. Study design We assessed the prevalence of female first and senior (last-listed) authorship of original research articles published in 3 pediatric-focused journals Pediatrics, JAMA Pediatrics (entitled Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine until 2013), and The Journal of Pediatrics. We also examined the gender breakdown of the main editors and the broader editorial boards of these journals. In addition, we examined whether junior female faculty co-authored with male or female senior faculty. Results Of 3895 original articles, 22 were excluded because the gender of either the first or senior author could not be determined from the name. An analysis of authorship by year showed increasing female representation across the selected journals in both first (39.8% in 2001, 57.7% in 2016) and senior (28.6% in 2001, 38.1% in 2016) authors, respectively. Editorial boards also showed increasing female representation (17.8% in 2001 to 39.8% in 2016). Junior female faculty were more likely to co-author with senior female women (female first and last author); the gap remained unchanged despite the increasing number of women entering pediatrics. Conclusions Women are underrepresented as authors and editors, although the gap is closing. Junior women are less likely to co-author with senior men, which may be a disservice given current gender disparities in promotion and leadership.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)244-249.e1
JournalJournal of Pediatrics
Volume191
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • academic medicine
  • authorship
  • editorial board
  • mentorship
  • pediatrics
  • professional development
  • sex

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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