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Meta-Research: COVID-19 medical papers have fewer women first authors than expected
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Conflicts of Interest
Identified Weaknesses
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Paper Summary
Paperzilla title
Pandemic Papers: Where Did All the Women Go?
This study found that compared to 2019, COVID-19 medical papers published in the same journals had fewer women first authors. This difference was most pronounced in March and April 2020, suggesting potential pandemic-related impacts on women's research productivity. While results for last authors and overall representation were inconclusive, the findings raise concerns about widening gender gaps in academic medicine.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
Reshma Jagsi discloses various financial interests, including stock options, consulting fees, grants, and contracts with pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. However, these do not seem directly related to the current research. Other authors declare no competing interests.
Identified Weaknesses
Limited Sample Size and Covariates
The study acknowledges limitations related to sample size and the lack of detailed information on covariates.
Gender Inference
The study uses author names to infer gender, which may not be accurate and can perpetuate gender bias.
Publication Bias
The study relies on publications in specific journals and might not capture the full picture of research productivity across various platforms.
Rating Explanation
This study addresses an important issue with relevant data and analysis. It provides valuable insights into potential gender disparities in research during the pandemic. However, the mentioned limitations prevent a higher rating.
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File Information
Original Title:
Meta-Research: COVID-19 medical papers have fewer women first authors than expected
File Name:
2005.06303.pdf
[download]
File Size:
0.46 MB
Uploaded:
July 14, 2025 at 10:53 AM
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