How is diversity integrated into concepts and models?

Karin Grasenick | February 2019

A critical review can reveal implicit or explicit assumptions with regard to diversity. It can indicate whether a framework is suitable for your research orif an adaptation is needed.

Diversity-insensitive concepts or models may reduce the quality and innovative capacity of research, e.g. by taking men/women as the norm; pathologizing normal female biological processes, such as pregnancy or menopause; or by reproducing existing stereotypes without scientific ground (Nieuwenhoven & Klinge 2010, p.318).

Implicit or explicit “background assumptions” about sex and gender within a research community shape the concepts and theories used, and thus the way research is conducted. Try to analyse those assumptions and uncover unconscious ones. (Further questions are provided by the European Commission 2013, p.108).

Make sure to understand the level of detail of a concept or model: When small sex differences accumulate, they might substantially influence outcomes. Anita Holdcroft (2007) presents methodological approaches allowing recognizing such small sex differences (by reducing experimental variation in certain factors to obtain more reliable and reproducible results, sufficiently powering studies, and by conducting meta-analyses).

In animal models of disease, for instance, the underrepresentation of females frequently compromises the understanding of female biology. Researchers frequently assume that females are more variable than males (due to hormonal cycles). Although not formally required in many cases, the study of both sexes is highly recommended: “If male and female animal models are thought to differ in response to an intervention then the study must be designed with adequate sample sizes to answer the question for each sex.” (Beery & Zucker 2011, p.7)

Furthermore, animal studies frequently focus on a few species (rats and mice, in particular in neuroscience, pharmacology, immunology and physiology). More diverse species and non-rodent models are used in behaviour, zoology and reproduction fields (Beery & Zucker 2011, p.5).

Overemphasizing sex differences or improperly attributing differences to sex when other factors come into play can also be a problem. For example, companies might develop “gender-specific” products based on stereotypical assumptions that fail to address the actual needs of consumers. For example, a sex-specific knee prosthesis has been developed, although different prosthesis needs are not based on sex, but rather on body height (European Commission 2013, p.110, and case study De-Gendering the Knee: https://genderedinnovations.stanford.edu/case-studies/knee.html). Typical “blue” (focusing on combat) and “pink” (focusing on fashion) video games are based on the belief that women’s and men’s interests and skills are fundamentally different – whereas some of the most popular modern games are designed for a broad audience and equally attract men and women players (Gendered Innovations Case Study Video Games: https://genderedinnovations.stanford.edu/case-studies/games.html).