Dealing with Gender Bias Issues in Data-Algorithmic Processes: A Social-Statistical Perspective

Abstract

Are algorithms sexist? This is a question that has been frequently appearing in the mass media, and the debate has typically been far from a scientific analysis. This paper aims at answering the question using a hybrid social and technical perspective. First a technical-oriented definition of the algorithm concept is provided, together with a more social-oriented interpretation. Secondly, several related works have been reviewed in order to clarify the state of the art in this matter, as well as to highlight the different perspectives under which the topic has been analyzed. Thirdly, we describe an illustrative numerical example possible discrimination in the banking sector due to data bias, and propose a simple but effective methodology to address it. Finally, a series of recommendations are provided with the goal of minimizing gender bias while designing and using data-algorithmic processes to support decision making in different environments.