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Authorship gender among articles about artificial intelligence in breast imaging
Po Hsiang Shawn Yuan1, Tyler D Yan2, Sonali Sharma2
1Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
European Journal of Radiology
|March 16, 2024
Summary
This study reveals a gender authorship gap in artificial intelligence (AI) breast imaging research. While the number of women senior authors is increasing, first authorship shows no change, indicating a persistent disparity.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Artificial Intelligence
- Gender Studies
Background:
- The field of artificial intelligence (AI) in breast imaging is rapidly expanding.
- Understanding gender representation in authorship is crucial for equity in scientific research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gender distribution of first and senior authors in peer-reviewed AI-related breast imaging articles.
- To identify trends and factors influencing women's authorship in this specialized field.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search adhering to PRISMA guidelines was performed in July 2022.
- Author gender was determined via a self-declaration survey, with logistic regression used for analysis.
- Data included publication year, journal impact factor, and country.
Main Results:
- Out of 115 studies, women constituted 35.7% of first authors and 37.4% of senior authors.
- A significant upward trend was observed in women senior authors over time, but not for first authors.
- Journal impact factor did not correlate with female authorship; some countries exceeded 50% women authorship.
Conclusions:
- A notable gender authorship gap persists in AI breast imaging research.
- The increasing trend of women in senior authorship roles offers a positive outlook for greater female representation.
- Further research is needed to explore the underlying causes and implications of this authorship gap.
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