Cross-cultural studies of women and the male bias problem

Behavior science resesarch • Vol/Iss. 1 • Published In 1978 • Pages: 13 •

By Whyte, Martin King

Abstract

A feminist critique of ethnographic information is tested to determine if the gender of fieldworkers or coders has a significant effect on the reliability of data regarding women's status. Findings indicate that there is no male bias in coding. With regard to male versus female ethnographers, only a few results (no more than chance) found any evidence of possible bias, but they are all in the same direction with female ethnographers more favorable. Author suggests that any bias will be lessened by using more specific coding scales.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)	Researchers Own

Hypotheses (2)
Hypothesis	Supported
Male coders will record lower scores for the status of women than female coders will.	Not Supported
Female fieldworkers will be associated with more evidence for favorable statuses of women, yielding higher coded statuses.	Partially supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings Tahlisa Brougham

Cross-cultural studies of women and the male bias problem

Behavior science resesarch • Vol/Iss. 1 • Published In 1978 • Pages: 13 • Cite

By Whyte, Martin King

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (2)

Behavior science resesarch • Vol/Iss. 1 • Published In 1978 • Pages: 13 •