Sex and Gender in Scientific Writing

In recent years, there has been a growing push for more accurate and inclusive scientific reporting, particularly around the concepts of sex and gender. Understanding and correctly applying these terms improves the clarity, validity, and impact of your work. Here, we provide an overview of the difference between sex and gender and provide general guidelines for integrating these concepts into your research and scientific writing.

Sex and Gender: What’s the Difference?
While often used interchangeably in everyday language, sex and gender refer to distinct concepts in scientific contexts. Sex refers to biological attributes, including chromosomes, hormone levels, reproductive organs, and other physical characteristics. In many species, sex is typically categorized as male or female, although variations also exist (e.g., intersex). Gender refers to socially and culturally constructed roles, behaviors, expressions, and identities. Gender is not binary—it includes a wide range of identities such as man, woman, non-binary, transgender, and others. Gender can influence how individuals experience health, access education, respond to interventions, and participate in research. Understanding this distinction is critical because biological sex and gender identity can each influence outcomes differently, depending on the research context.

Why It Matters
Failing to differentiate sex and gender can lead to misleading conclusions and reduced generalizability of findings. For example, in health research, biological differences may influence how diseases progress or how medications work. In social sciences, gender roles can shape behavior, decision-making, and access to resources. In engineering or design, assuming a "default male" body can result in products that don’t serve all users effectively. Recognizing and reporting sex and gender appropriately increases transparency, improves reproducibility, and ensures your findings are relevant across diverse populations.

Simple Guidelines for Researchers

Below are five principles to help you accurately and respectfully report sex and gender in your scientific writing:

1. Use the Terms Correctly

Use "sex" when referring to biological differences (e.g., sex differences in hormone levels, reproductive anatomy). Use "gender" when referring to identity, roles, norms, or social behaviors (e.g., gender differences in caregiving roles or workplace participation). If your study involves both biological and social factors, clarify which term applies in each context.

2. Report Participant Characteristics Clearly

When describing your study sample, state whether data on sex, gender, or both were collected. Furthermore, indicate how these were measured (e.g., self-report, medical records, biological markers). Moreover, it is critical to use inclusive language when relevant. For example, use “participants of all genders” if your study includes transgender or non-binary individuals.

3. Follow Journal and Funder Guidelines

Many journals and funding agencies now require researchers to address sex and gender in research design, analysis, and reporting. Checking the author instructions of your target journal and relevant funding bodies will help ensure your work meets these expectations. Also consider reviewing the SAGER Guidelines (Sex and Gender Equity in Research), which provide a framework for reporting sex and gender in study design and manuscript preparation.

As the research community becomes more socially aware, there is increasing recognition that good science reflects human diversity. Being thoughtful and accurate about sex and gender in your work not only meets publishing standards—it also enhances the quality and impact of your research. By applying these practices, you position yourself as a conscientious and rigorous researcher ready to contribute to a more inclusive and evidence-based scientific enterprise.