Abstract
The current theoretical paper discusses the unintended systemic racism and racial biases that impact neuroscience, specifically in research utilizing electroencephalography (EEG). As a popular technique in affective science research, EEG requires adherence between the electrode and scalp to measure brain activity. To obtain high-quality data, various factors such as hair length, hair type, body movement, and/or extraneous noise from the environment are taken into consideration. As EEG researchers attempt to gather good-quality data, the recruitment and retention of Black American participants is challenging due to hairstyles commonly worn by Black American participants (e.g., cornrows, braids) and hair type. Taken together, the systemic lack of data from Black American participants renders research findings less generalizable and causes disparities in theoretical knowledge applicable to this population. To address this disparity, innovative solutions invented by bioengineers are discussed.
Highlights
The current theoretical paper discusses the unintended systemic racism and racial biases that impact neuroscience, in research utilizing electroencephalography (EEG)
Black American participants are often excluded in EEG research due to challenges adapting EEG methodology to account for the variations of African hair types of curly and tightly coiled hair
Because standard quality EEG recording and data analysis require acceptable S/N ratio and proper adherence between the electrode and scalp, African hairstyles and types of hair may prevent good conductance of brain signal and impact the accurate measurement of brain activity. Though this impacts recruitment and retention of Black American participants in EEG research, bioengineering labs have recognized the lack of adaptation to measure and include brain data collected from Black American participants within EEG research
Summary
Neuroscience research has improved our understanding of how brain function and behavior are interconnected, and has provided important information about neural mechanisms of a variety of cognitive and affective processes. Because hairstyles worn predominantly by Black American participants reduce proper S/N ratio and result in poor conductivity between the electrode and scalp, African hair types may lead to unsatisfactory quality of EEG recordings; and, their EEG data recordings often are excluded from the final data analyses. EEG researchers utilize different electrodes and EEG recordings to measure brain activity, such as wet, dry, and semi-dry electrodes and HD/LD EEG recording These methods currently utilized in EEG research still present challenges regarding inclusivity for African types of hair worn predominantly by Black American participants, further leading to underrepresentation of Black American participants in neuroscience research. Unintended systemic bias is a rising concern within neuroscience research, there are bioengineering labs that recognize this dilemma and are in the process of creating and investigating new electrodes that may be better suited for participants with African hairstyles and hair types
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