FEMINISTS METHODOLOGY

Principles of Feminists Research Methodology

Principles of Feminists Research Methodology

What is feminist research?

Feminist research, is this a bit, but not necessarily either! All research conducted with women is not feminists. Regularly, research conducted with women to better understand their experiences of daily living (such as marketing, to identify their consumption patterns) and which cannot kindly be described as feminist (Anderson 1987, 127). It does not a woman doing research for it to be a feminist, many studies carried out by women and with women, but they can be described as feminist (the case of many public opinion polls). To complicate matters, research, which does not require a feminist perspective, sometimes lead to results that practically improve the lives of women (e.g. medicine)?.

Moreover, research claim of feminism, but do not fall within the framework of a women's studies. So what is it that feminist research? Methodologies sensitive to everything said so far and apply it in planning their strategies and the development and implementation of procedures, a methodology "feminine" social science, also requires that these epistemological and methodological approaches described and discussed not only to conduct a "feminine" but also in social research in general. The basic reality that supports a "female approach" is the fundamental fact that the woman is participating as a researcher and an object of research. Indeed, it is easy to understand how the woman, knowing her own body, their own health problems, personal experiences, family and social methodology is better able than men in general to understand other women and their problems. This situation found when, in many circumstances, she ignores the recommendations of a doctor man over certain areas of gynecology, abortion, menstrual control, etc.

Principles of Feminist Research

First Principle

A first characteristic of feminist research, which distinguishes it from traditional research, is its double dimension: it is both a socio-political transformation of social relations and a scientific project of developing knowledge. Socio-political project, as it emerged from the revolt of women, begun in the 19th century in the West, against the various forms of oppression. It is largely in the women's movement as feminist research draws its inspiration from him and it defines its objectives. Feminist research has helped fuel the struggle of women on issues such as violence, abortion, poverty, pay equity, unpaid work and gender stereotypes. Its analysis is not only understanding but also the transformation of economic, cultural and social legitimize and perpetuate the subordination of women in diverse societies (Cooper 1987, 95). A second fundamental characteristic of feminist research is the central place accorded to gender relations in his analysis. Although feminist research can be defined as traditionally done on women, by women and with women, several authors agree to say that this is a transitional stage of development. The constitution of women in "objects" of research, based on their recognition as 'subjects' historical, political and epistemological, represented a milestone in feminist research. In the words of Matthew, it is becoming "a subject in history" that women have become "an object ...