This analysis of literature explores gender differences in leadership style. As greater numbers of women enter the ranks of leadership and more research is conducted, contradictory findings emerged. Using the qualitative software program NVivo version 1.2, 36 pieces of qualitative, quantitative, and popular culture literature were summarized, coded, and the coded information analyzed. The analysis revealed that (a) the characteristics of the rater have significant impact on the findings, (b) the research instrument and methodology used effect the findings, and (c) there are many varying and often contradictory explanations for gender differences in leadership
