Stratification and Integration in the Key Research Specialty of Women in Science and Engineering, Over Time

Abstract

We examine the features of focal and non-focal groups of authors (measured by thresholds of their publication counts) in the research specialty of women in science and engineering. This specialty is important because of the ways in which it relates to science, gender, and society.

The study combines a bibliometric approach with a social-structural perspective. Our research questions focus on the features of the groups of authors–-metrics of levels of stratification and integration-in a consequential 45-year period (1965-2010 for articles, and through 2021 for citations). The study employs a systematic, multi-stage design that finds and verifies 3,174 articles belonging to the specialty out of 23,000 retrieved; and identifies the authors of these articles and their features.

The results are contrary to our expectation of this specialty being “exceptional” in relatively low stratification among authors. Findings point to divisions by focal and non-focal groups; substantial inequality in skewed publication productivity, citations, and affiliations; integration among the focal group in co-authorship and clusters; and complexities of stratifiation and integration over time. The study suggests fruitful continuing inquiries and demonstrates the potential of combining a bibliometric approach and social-structural perspectives in understanding authors in this, and other specialties.