Pj. Brett et al., AN ANALYSIS OF SPECIALTY JOURNALS ON ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS FOR SEX BIAS IN RESEARCH METHODS AND REPORTING, Journal of studies on alcohol, 56(1), 1995, pp. 24-34
Objective: Several studies have considered the extent to which gender
bias has characterized addictions treatment. research over the past 20
years. Sex bias in this literature has been shown to be most apparent
in a reliance on male subjects and representation of male experience
as normative. The current study was undertaken to assess the current s
tatus of some basic aspects of gender bias in addictions research gene
rally. Method: Articles appearing in 1990 in 17 specialty journals on
alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors were coded with respect to type
of article and the gender of the primary investigator. Studies on hum
an subjects also were evaluated with regard to subject selection and r
eporting practices. Results: Although the proportion of females repres
ented in addictions research was found to have increased over earlier
historical periods, studies using only male subjects were still common
in 1990. Moreover, in studies using subjects of mostly one sex, inves
tigators were likely to provide legitimate reasons for studying female
s, but provide no rationale for using male samples. Other subtle forms
of bias were identified. For example, many single-sex studies (especi
ally those using all male subjects) did not indicate the gender of the
sample in the title or abstract of the study, and did not indicate th
at results of the study could be generalized to only one gender. Concl
usions: Male biased sampling and misleading reporting of findings cont
inue to be evident in addictions research. The need for gender-sensiti
ve research in the field of addictions is discussed, and suggestions f
or change are offered.