A mathematical approach to assess research diversity: operationalization and applicability in communication sciences, political science, and beyond

Abstract

With today’s research production and global dissemination, there is growing pressure to assess how academic felds foster diversity. Based on a mathematical problem/solve scheme, the aim of this study is twofold. First, the paper elaborates on how research diver[1]sity in scientifc felds can be empirically gauged, proposing six working defnitions. Sec[1]ond, drawing on these theoretical explanations, we introduce an original methodological protocol for research diversity evaluation. Third, the study puts this mathematical model to an empirical test by comparatively evaluating (1) communication research diversity in 2017, with respect to feld’s diversity in 1997, and (2) communication research and political science diversity in 2017. Our results indicate that, contrasted to pattern diver[1]sity, communication research in 2017 is not a diverse feld. However, throughout the years (1997–2017), there is a statistically signifcant improvement. Finally, the cross-comparison examination between political and communication sciences reveals the latter to be signif[1]cantly more diverse