To determine the extent and the cause of women's apparent low presence and achievement in political studies in the United Kingdom. The postal surveys were sent to all the women in Political Studies academic posts in the UK who were located by a population study conducted by the Political Studies Association in early 1978, plus a control group of similar men. Two surveys were designed to enable the investigator to: a) outline general career patterns in political science in the UK, and b) test hypotheses of direct or indirect discrimination in working conditions and promotion prospects, of female self-selection and of the female domestic role as factors leading to low female achievement. Variables A: Questionnaire 1 concentrated on biographic, qualification, productivity and time budget data and aimed at the identification of the position of women in the profession, and to identify possible causes, sites, and kinds of sex discrimination, and involved several `open' questions. B: Questionnaire 2 was mainly directed at attitudes and used forced open questions wherever possible.