# Gender differences in research productivity: a bibliometric analysis of the Italian academic system

**Authors:** Giovanni Abramo, Ciriaco Andrea D'Angelo, Alessandro Caprasecca  
**arXiv:** [1812.07851](https://arxiv.org/abs/1812.07851)  
**Date:** 2018-12-19  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1812.07851v1/

## Key points

- There are significant differences in research productivity between men and women in scientific-technological disciplines within the Italian university system.
- Differences are smaller than previously reported in the literature and more noticeable for quantitative performance indicators.
- Men generally perform better, but there are several scientific sectors where women's performance is not inferior.
- Ongoing efforts to address gender inequality may be contributing to a decline in the size of this gap over time.
- The study adds to existing literature on gender differences in research productivity and provides valuable insights into how these differences manifest within a specific academic context.

## Summary

The study "Gender differences in research productivity: a bibliometric analysis of the Italian academic system" by Giovanni Abramo, Ciriaco Andrea D'Angelo, and Alessandro Caprasecca confirms that there are significant differences in research productivity between men and women in scientific-technological disciplines within the Italian university system. However, these differences are smaller than previously reported in the literature and are more noticeable for quantitative performance indicators than other indicators. The study also highlights important sectorial specificities in the gap between genders. While men generally perform better, there are several scientific sectors where women's performance is not inferior. The authors suggest that ongoing efforts to address gender inequality may be contributing to a decline in the size of this gap over time. This study adds to existing literature on gender differences in research productivity and provides valuable insights into how these differences manifest within a specific academic context.