Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
Sex and gender differences and similarities in research are often overlooked in research and science communication. This is of particular importance to Cochrane systematic reviews that rely on robust primary study data, including data disaggregated by sex. Additionally, there is a gender gap in the composition of editorial boards and offices. The European Association of Science Editors (EASE) has recognized the need to advocate widespread adoption of gender policies in scientific journals and in October 2012 established a Gender Policy Committee (GPC) to address these issues.
Objectives:
The objectives of the EASE GPC are to: 1) raise awareness about the importance of sex/gender in science, 2) advocate for better reporting of sex and gender differences and/or similarities in scientific research, 3) promote better science through inclusion of sex/gender considerations in policies and standards for scientific publishing, and 4) promote gender balance in editorial boards and offices.
Methods:
We undertook an International Gender Survey in April 2013 to map existing editorial gender policies among journals, as well as to gather the opinions of editors of the relevance and need for such policies. The results of the survey will support the development of a Common Standard for Gender Policies in Scientific Publishing to provide best practices and guide journals and publishing houses in implementing relevant gender policies.
Results:
The total numbers of respondents was 716, representing 114 unique publishing houses and 388 journals. As little as 7% of journals do have policies for Instructions for authors and composition of editorial boards and around 45% of respondents feel that a gender policy is not necessary. We are finalising the Common Standard and aim to present its main recommendations at the Colloquium.
Conclusions:
The publication and dissemination of the Common Standard will help to raise awareness, implement policies and promote gender balance in science. In this session we will also discuss the implications of the Common Standard in Cochrane editorial policies and methodological approaches for reviews.
Sex and gender differences and similarities in research are often overlooked in research and science communication. This is of particular importance to Cochrane systematic reviews that rely on robust primary study data, including data disaggregated by sex. Additionally, there is a gender gap in the composition of editorial boards and offices. The European Association of Science Editors (EASE) has recognized the need to advocate widespread adoption of gender policies in scientific journals and in October 2012 established a Gender Policy Committee (GPC) to address these issues.
Objectives:
The objectives of the EASE GPC are to: 1) raise awareness about the importance of sex/gender in science, 2) advocate for better reporting of sex and gender differences and/or similarities in scientific research, 3) promote better science through inclusion of sex/gender considerations in policies and standards for scientific publishing, and 4) promote gender balance in editorial boards and offices.
Methods:
We undertook an International Gender Survey in April 2013 to map existing editorial gender policies among journals, as well as to gather the opinions of editors of the relevance and need for such policies. The results of the survey will support the development of a Common Standard for Gender Policies in Scientific Publishing to provide best practices and guide journals and publishing houses in implementing relevant gender policies.
Results:
The total numbers of respondents was 716, representing 114 unique publishing houses and 388 journals. As little as 7% of journals do have policies for Instructions for authors and composition of editorial boards and around 45% of respondents feel that a gender policy is not necessary. We are finalising the Common Standard and aim to present its main recommendations at the Colloquium.
Conclusions:
The publication and dissemination of the Common Standard will help to raise awareness, implement policies and promote gender balance in science. In this session we will also discuss the implications of the Common Standard in Cochrane editorial policies and methodological approaches for reviews.