[RAS] Racist Bias in [RePEc] automatic research profile update

[Thomas Krichel]

  Anwar Shaikh writes

> I am really fed up with your search procedures, which seem entirely
> mechanical. I get queries about papers about anyone with my last
> name (Shaikh), without any apparent attempt to include my first name
> in the search. I cannot imagine that your computer program would do
> that for anyone with the last name "Smith" or "Goldberg", or many
> others.

  I can imagine, and I know, as I have seen the code. And you can
  look at it too, it's at

http://acis.openlib.org

> This type of programming betrays a biased attitude towards
> the large number of people with non-European names.

  Your patches to the code base will be welcome!

> I also find that this same bad programming leaves out articles that
> I have published, which Google scholars does not do
> https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=en&user=fUSvPu8AAAAJ

  This likely the case because Google Scholar carries out a
  web search, whereas ACIS works on the RePEc database.

> I am at a loss on why this occurs, and also frustrated that no one
> answers emails (I tried before). Please let me know if someone reads
> this email.

  Normally, Christian asks me to refrain from answering email
  to the address, but since you are complaining, I think I can
  make an exception.

-- 

  Cheers,

  Thomas Krichel                  http://openlib.org/home/krichel
                                              skype:thomaskrichel