Lack Of Female Scientists And Participants Impacts Outcomes Of Clinical Studies: Research

The lack of women in science has affected a lot of studies and research. The fewer number of women researchers and research participants led to various complications in the practical use of research ideas. This idea is backed up by recent research which focuses on the impact of female representation on research outcomes.

Though the number of women in science is increasing commendably, the field is still far away from equal gender participation and representation. Less number of female scientists and research subjects not only contributes to gender equality but also impacts the entire outcome of a research.

A recent study conducted by Milwaukee's Marquette University revealed that the underrepresentation of females in research creates varying results during clinical trials as compared to actual application in public. Here's what the statistics and research revealed.

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Female Representation In Research Study

The lack of female participants in the clinical trials of research projects results in a lack of knowledge about how the drug or treatment will impact the female body. The complications a research object can have on a female cannot be determined because there are not enough women subjects for trial. Hence, complications and side effects don't surface unless the treatment is used by the wider public and reports certain complications.

It was reported that by 2021, the number of all-male studies was 18 percent while all-female research studies made only 1.1 percent of all the research projects conducted. It also found that even though the number of female participants in research studies increased over time, they still made up only one-third of the total participants.

The report also observed that the number of female participants in a research project was less when the last author of the study was a man. On the other hand, equal gender representation in participants was observed when the authorship of the study was held by a female. Clearly, it can be seen that female authors or researchers try to provide a better understanding of the research trials by including an equal number of males and females.

The representation of women is equal as compared to men when a female researcher leads the study. However, a male author neglects the impact of less female representation in a study which further creates different results in the actual use of treatment as compared to clinical trials.

The representation of women in science and research has always been a concerning issue. The low representation means fewer studies are directed towards understanding female health and the impact of certain treatments on the female body. This is clear neglect of female health issues and their exclusion from the target public.

It is really important to encourage women to participate more in clinical research as authors as well as trial subjects. This will help scientists better understand how various inventions and treatments will impact the female population.

The researchers too should take the matter of the underrepresentation of women seriously because research that does not provide accurate data about its impact on the entire population is more of a threat than a help. Instead of sending treatments for public use without being sure of its impact on all genders and causing potential health hazards, it is better to include more females in their research to provide a better and broader perspective to the reports.