Replication Study Challenges claims of Gender Bias in Science Hiring
LONDON – A newly published replication study casts doubt on previous research suggesting a bias against women in science hiring practices, reigniting debate about equality within academia. The study, accepted by the journal Meta-Psychology, directly addresses a 2012 paper that claimed female applicants were penalized when applying for laboratory manager positions.
The original 2012 study, led by Lee Jussim, sent out identical CVs differing only in the applicant’s perceived gender. It concluded that female applicants were less likely to be selected for interviews. When Jussim attempted to replicate the study, journal reviewers reportedly dismissed a suggestion to assess participants’ familiarity with the initial research and adjust analysis accordingly. Jussim later argued this effectively prevented replication, implying the original findings “must stand intact, for ever.”
Undeterred, Jussim’s team pursued the research independently, preregistering their methods and conducting the study regardless. The new research found that most professors had not encountered the 2012 paper, and the results differed from the original conclusions.
The findings arrive amidst ongoing discussions about gender representation in STEM fields. While women now earn roughly half of all life science doctorates and are increasing their presence in fields like chemistry and engineering, they remain underrepresented in senior academic roles. In the UK, only around 25% of STEM professors are women. The study specifically focused on applications for laboratory manager positions, a relatively junior role.
Erika Pastrana, vice-president of the Nature Research Journals portfolio, emphasized that editorial decisions are based on methodological rigor, not weather original findings are replicated. “Scientific scrutiny occurs through many mechanisms,including replication,critical commentary,meta-analyses,methodological debate,and new research that builds on or challenges prior work,” she stated.
