What we know about Wikipedia's gender gap: A review of the literature and its implications

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compile a high number of relevant sources through a systematic review, analyze all the information obtained, and show if the gender issues, which affect in a palpable way the majority of our society, would also be present on Wikipedia. In addition, the goal was going beyond a dichotomous response, through an exhaustive search and analysis of sources that can provide us with all kinds of information related to the topic. To all this, gender differences were deepened not only in the edition of Wikipedia’s articles, but also in their use, as well as in the differences observed in their content, especially in both male and female biographies. After conducting this study, we may conclude that our results show us clear signs of a gender gap in the Wikipedia tool. Hence, women would be underrepresented in number of users, in number of editors, and in number of female biographies.