Js. Long et al., RANK ADVANCEMENT IN ACADEMIC CAREERS - SEX-DIFFERENCES AND THE EFFECTS OF PRODUCTIVITY, American sociological review, 58(5), 1993, pp. 703-722
Advancement in rank is critically important to the career of an academ
ic scientist, and the highly visible nature of the event makes it idea
l for studying stratification in science. Concern with universalistic
factors in promotion has prompted debates over two issues. First, why
do female scientists advance more slowly than male scientists, and why
do so few reach the rank of full professor? Second, is promotion driv
en by the sheer volume of published work as opposed to its quality? Ev
ent history analyses clearly indicate that quantity of publications is
far more important than various measures of quality of publications i
n predicting rank advancement; and women are less likely to be promote
d than men. About one-half of this sex difference is attributable to d
ifferences in levels of variables affecting promotion. Remaining diffe
rences are a result of differences in expected timing of promotion to
associate professor and to the negative effects of department prestige
on promotion to full professor for women.