Gender Inequalities: Women Researchers Require More Knowledge in Specific and Experimental Topics

TL;DR

This paper investigates gender inequalities in scientific research, revealing that women tend to focus on less developed, experimental topics and highlighting regional influences on their research interests.

Contribution

It uncovers the relationship between gender, regional factors, and knowledge levels in scientific topics, emphasizing the need to address knowledge gaps for gender equality.

Findings

Women focus more on experimental, less developed topics.

Gender inequalities are linked to regional and global patterns.

Women are less involved in highly knowledgeable, assisting research areas.

Abstract

Gender inequalities in science have long been observed globally. Studies have demonstrated it through survey data or published literature, focusing on the interests of subjects or authors; few, however, examined the manifestation of gender inequalities on researchers' knowledge status. This study analyzes the relationship between regional and gender identities, topics, and knowledge status while revealing the female labor division in science and scientific research using online Q&A from researchers. We find that gender inequalities are merged with both regional-specific characteristics and global common patterns. Women's field and topic distribution within fields are influenced by regions, yet the prevalent topics are consistent in all regions. Women are more involved in specific topics, particularly topics about experiments with weaker levels of knowledge and they are of less assistance. To promote inequality in science, the scientific community should pay more attention to reducing the knowledge gap and encourage women to work on unexplored topics and areas.