But It Was Published, Right? Understanding Editorial and Citation Bias in Academic Literature

It’s easy to assume that if an article is published in a prominent academic journal, it must be free of bias, especially if any conflicts of interest were disclosed. However, bias can still influence academic scholarship in other ways. This talk will cover two key types of bias: editorial and citation bias. Editorial boards—often composed of homogenous members—affect which authors and manuscripts are accepted. Citation bias also exists, as articles written by women as first authors are cited 33% less than those authored by men, a phenomenon known as the Matilda Effect. We will also explore strategies for combating these biases, such as promoting diversity on editorial boards and using tools like citation diversity statements, CleanBib software, and gender balance indices to promote more inclusive academic practices.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:
  • Identify and explain the concepts of editorial bias and citation bias
  • Evaluate the specific ways in which editorial and citation biases manifest in medical literature
  • Design and implement strategies to combat editorial and citation biases 

Presenter:

  • Cortlyn Brown, MD, MCSO, FAAEM
Authors
  • Dr cortlyn brown

    Cortlyn Brown, MD, MCSO, FAAEM

    Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine

    Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center

    Dr. Cortlyn Brown is an Assistant Professor of emergency medicine at Atrium Health Carolinas in Charlotte, NC.

    Dr. Brown graduated with honors from the University of Chicago and matriculated to the Yale School of Medicine where she received the Parker Prize given to the graduating student who has shown the best qualifications for a successful physician and the Grannum Prize given to an African American graduating student who has shown excellent academic achievement. She completed the NIH Howard Hughes Medical Research fellowship and received a certificate in Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from Cornell University. She then completed her residency at the University of California San Francisco where she served as Chief Resident and was awarded the Chancellor Award for Dr. Martin Luther King, JR., one of the highest institutional honors that is given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the ideals of DEI. She recently completed a Masters in Clinical Operations from Harvard University School of Medicine.

    Dr. Brown joined Carolinas Medical Center Atrium Health faculty in 2020 as the department’s Vice Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In addition to this role, she serves as clerkship director for the Health Disparities in Emergency Medicine rotation and Co-Leader of the Women in Emergency Medicine group.

    In addition to local leadership, Dr. Brown holds several national leadership roles including Chair for the American Academy of Emergency Medicine Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion National Section as well as Section Editor for the WestJEM. Throughout her medical education, she also held several national leadership positions including, but not limited to, Student National Medical Association National Vice President and Strategic Planning Council Member and National Chair of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine Resident and Student Association Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

    Her research related to DEI has been published in such journals as JAMA Internal Medicine, Annals of Emergency Medicine, and Academic Emergency Medicine.

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