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Article
The Gender Citation Gap in Undergraduate Student Research: Evidence from the Political Science Classroom
PS: Political Science & Politics
  • Li-Yin Liu, University of Dayton
  • Christopher J. Devine, University of Dayton
  • Heidi Gauder, University of Dayton
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2020
Abstract

Previous studies have documented a “gender citation gap” in political science, whereby women are less likely to be cited in published research and course syllabi, especially by male scholars. However, no previous study has examined citation patterns among students in political science courses to determine if similar patterns are evident in their research. This article analyzes an original database of individual, as well as group, research assignments from an undergraduate research methods course. Our analysis indicates that male students are significantly less likely than female students to cite research published by women – whether as first authors, any of the authors, or the average percentage of authors per team. However, in a subsequent group research assignment, gender diversity had no discernible effect on group citation patterns. We discuss the implications of these findings for current pedagogical practices and the future state of the discipline.

ISBN/ISSN
1049-0965
Document Version
Postprint
Comments

The document available for download is the authors' accepted manuscript, provided in compliance with the publisher's policy on self-archiving. Permission documentation is on file.

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Citation Information
Li-Yin Liu, Christopher J. Devine and Heidi Gauder. "The Gender Citation Gap in Undergraduate Student Research: Evidence from the Political Science Classroom" PS: Political Science & Politics (2020)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/heidi_gauder/33/