Feminist Methodology

Women’s Studies Feminism has resulted in the growth and development of ‘Women’s Studies’ in UK universities – research in humanities and literature which is ‘by women and for women’ Feminism has tended to adopt one of two methodological approaches which have been categorised as The Weak Thesis and the Strong Thesis.

The Weak Thesis The Weak Thesis suggests that traditional methods are themselves essentially sound its just that their application is riven with sexism – the feminist researcher therefore has to purge her methods of such sexism before proceeding

Ray Pawson Pawson identifies 2 areas of sexism in research 1. ANDROCENTRICITY – which means seeing the world through male eyes. Men are seen as dominant and important whilst women weak and submissive. Research therefore tends to focus on ‘important’ men’s business and women are written out of history, literature the arts etc 2. OVERGENERALISATION – Pawson suggests that often what is seen as valid research conclusions for men are over generalised to include women also – an obvious e.g. could be social class classifications which use the occupation of the head of the household as the determinant of social class

Overcoming Sexism in Research Pawson suggests that the problems of androcentricity and overgeneralization can be overcome by awareness on the part of the researcher, avoiding sexist assumptions and by using non sexist language

The Strong Thesis A more fundamental approach which states that feminism needs its own distinct methodology Anne Oakley says that traditional methods are fundamentally hierarchical, sexist and exploitative. She gives the example of the powerful and manipulative interviewer controlling and unequal respondent. Such models are seen by Oakley as essentially ‘male’ Feminist methodology instead should be based on real relationships which are equal and compassionate

Mies (1997) Mies takes this a stage further and issues a number of ‘guidelines’ for feminist research 1. Conscious partiality – feminist researchers are not objective – they are conscious of patriarchy and they identify with their respondents 2. Action Research – research seeks to change the world not just to understand it – research is part of a broader struggle 3. Research must take the ‘view from below’ and be non hierarchical 4. Research must be ‘consciousness raising’ for both researcher and respondent 5. Research must be for the good of all women