APA’s portfolio of 90 journals saw double-digit increases in journals recommending or requiring various equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) reporting standards or initiatives between January 2022 and April 2024
950%
Percentage increase in journals recommending reflexivity and positionality statements. Reflexivity calls for researchers to consider the reasons behind their research, how their values and worldview play into their research, and any possible harm from research design or research implications. Positionality statements address how the researchers’ identities relate to the research questions and the participants. Inclusion of reflexivity/positionality statements increased from 2.2% in January 2022 to 23.6% in April 2024.
188%
Percentage increase in journals featuring detailed participant sample descriptions, which include specific information related to age, disability status, sex, gender identity, racial and ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, clinical diagnoses and comorbidities, and the intersectionality of these attributes when describing participants. The number of journals requiring detailed sample descriptions increased from 17.6% in January 2022 to 51.7% in April 2024.
480%
Percentage increase in journals including justifications of participant samples, which include an overview of the researchers’ efforts to make their participant samples representative and inclusive. The number of journals recommending or requiring sample justifications increased from 5.5% in January 2022 to 32.6% in April 2024.
26%
Percentage increase in journals featuring public significance and impact statements, which briefly summarize the significance of a study’s findings and allow authors to emphasize the intention and importance of their work. In addition to giving authors more control over how their work is interpreted, impact statements increase the reach of the findings to a wider, more diverse audience and to the general public. Uptake of APA journals offering impact statements increased from 47.3% in January 2022 to 60.7% in April 2024.
