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Differences in Collaboration Patterns across Discipline, Career Stage, and Gender
Xiao Han T Zeng1, Jordi Duch1,2, Marta Sales-Pardo1,3
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America.
Plos Biology
|November 5, 2016
Summary
Female scientists collaborate less often than males, but this is explained by fewer publications and shorter careers. They also form fewer repeat collaborations, potentially impacting research novelty. Gender segregation exists in some STEM fields.
Area of Science:
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
- Molecular Biology, specifically Genomics.
Background:
- Collaboration is crucial for research productivity and impact.
- Uncertainty exists regarding gender differences in scientific collaboration patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender-based differences in collaboration propensity among STEM faculty.
- To analyze co-authorship patterns and their relation to career length and publication rates.
- To identify potential gender segregation within specific STEM sub-disciplines.
Main Methods:
- Empirical analysis of publication records for 3,980 STEM faculty at U.S. research universities.
- Quantitative assessment of distinct co-authors, publication rates, and career lengths.
- Examination of co-authorship repetition probability and sub-discipline representation.
Main Results:
- Female faculty had fewer distinct co-authors, explained by lower publication rates and shorter careers.
- Female scientists showed a lower probability of repeating co-authorships compared to males.
- Evidence of gender segregation was found in molecular biology sub-disciplines, notably genomics, with under-representation of female faculty.
Conclusions:
- Observed gender differences in co-authorship are largely attributable to career and publication disparities.
- Lower co-authorship repetition among female scientists may influence research impact.
- Gender-based segregation persists in certain STEM fields, particularly genomics.
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