Impact of Covid-19 on research output by gender across countries

Abstract

The massive shock of the COVID-19 pandemic has already shown its negative effects on economies around the world, unprecedented in recent history. COVID-19 infections and containment measures caused a general slowdown in research and new knowledge production. Because of the link between R&D output and economic growth, it is to be expected then that a slowdown in research activities will slow in turn the global recovery from the pandemic. Many recent studies also claim an uneven impact on scientific production across gender. In this paper, we investigate the phenomenon across countries, analysing preprint depositions in main repositories. Differently from other works, that compare the number of preprint depositions before and after the pandemic outbreak, we analyse the depositions trends across geographical areas, and contrast after-pandemic outbreak depositions with expected ones. Differently from common belief and initial evidence, the decrease in research output is not more severe for women than for men.

Differences in self-perception of productivity and mental health among the STEMM-field scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic by sex and status as a parent: A survey in six languages

“…Scores for each scale were calculated by summing the scores for the relevant subscales. The severity of depression was divided into normal (score 0-9), mild (10)(11)(12)(13), moderate (14-20), severe (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27), and extremely severe (�28). The total anxiety score was divided into normal (0-6), mild (7)(8)(9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), and extremely severe (�20).…”

“…The total anxiety score was divided into normal (0-6), mild (7)(8)(9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), and extremely severe (�20). The total stress score was divided in to normal (0-14), mild (15)(16)(17)(18), moderate (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), severe (26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33), and extremely severe (�34).…”

“…The relative growth of submission to pre-print archives (arXiv, bioRxiv) for 2020 compared to 2019 was lower for women's authorship than men [13]. Another study found that the number of preprint articles in 2020-2021 decreased by 15.2% worldwide, and the reduction in authorships was similar between men and women in Europe and North America, whereas the reduction was about two times larger for women than men in the Far East [26]. Altered childcare demands emerged as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic for females scientists and was identified as a factor that compromised ability to submit scientific articles for women [27].…”

Analyses of Stalked Jellyfish in Kitsunezaki, Japan: Calvadosia nagatensis, and Two Lineages of Haliclystus inabai with Early Life Stages Observed in an Aquarium in Canada

“…During our 18-month field and lab study, we gained a better understanding of the two Staurozoa species documented for the first time at the Kitsunezaki survey sitE. However, due to unforeseen circumstances related to weather and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic countermeasures (reviewed in Abramo et al 2022 [39]), sporadic sampling impeded diligent sampling efforts and our ability to document sexual reproduction or early life stages of either species in the field.…”

Efficient Computational Chemistry Protocol Implementations for Chemical Research in Pandemic Situation

“…Pandemic situation is defined as an epidemic condition that is occurring worldwide and thus leading to global infections [1] [2] [3]. The current pandemic situation also leads to a multidimensional challenge, including the challenge in performing scientific research, especially those that require in-vitro experiments [4] [5] and educations [6]. Accessing Chemical laboratories has been limited in several countries due to the lockdown.…”