A Meta-analysis of Journal Articles Intersecting Issues of Internet and Gender

During the past several years, the propagation and mainstream acceptance of the Internet has been a hot topic addressed in media, business, and scholarly environments. Academic journals are one source of scholarly information on the Internet, and have provided some broad research on this topic. Journals in the disciplines of communications, social sciences, and technology have addressed the various issues around Internet technology. One of the main issues of concern around the Internet has been the idea of a digital divide, or a gap in access and usage patterns based on social/cultural status, including gender, income, race, education, and age.

Internet usage of males and females in the United States has been increasing to a point of equity in recent surveys. But many studies still point to differences in usage of and representations within technology that can lead to disenfranchisement and inequity. By framing the gender gap in Internet usage as all but eliminated, continued research could be discouraged regarding gender differences beyond access and how this new type of divide is manifesting itself toward the potential of Internet. This study looks at the evolution of articles that deal with the gender implications of the Internet in journals in the fields of communications, gender studies, and technology and society.

Publisher: Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, New Orleans Sheraton, New Orleans, LA, May 27, 2004
Year of Publication: 2004