Critically examine the nature and scope of feminist method in social science research.
Answers
Female researchers have made a amount of distinctive aids to feminist methodologies in social science research. It remains questionable however as to whether a distinct feminist methodology exists, rather it is an approach to which female researchers have enlivened the debate by bringing fresh perspectives and valuable new insight, thereby challenging traditional methods. There have been some unresolved contributions to social science research from leading female researchers - "Goelting and Fernstermaker, [6] 1995; Orlans and Wallace, 1994 and Thorpe and Laslett, 1997" are to name but a few. (DeVault 1999)
Many sociologists agree that the original feminist movement had a core objective of changing the method of consciousness that was historically rooted in concepts of experiential research. Women became more aware of an alternate base for knowledge and the concept of presenting 'the women's experience' into the methodology deployed. The early movement thereby highlighted the omission of this perspective. In addition, the group highlighted the racism that was faced by African/Americans in the USA and how white women had an advantage in obtaining academic research jobs. From these early beginnings female researchers have learnt to respond to the issues in social sciences and improve the overall field of inquiry.
The female approach has been compared to that of 'excavators' (DeVault 1999)where female researchers have been used to identify gaps or missing components in research or that which has been ignored. The unique voice of women often lends itself to a more empathetic approach to those delicate research areas i.e. child abuse, drug or substance abuse, childish crime etc. This often results in a more complete and complete enquiry than would otherwise have been obtained from the traditional male dominated approach. (DeVault 1999).
The liberation of women in social science would offer women with an increased data of their own social circumstances within society. Any feminist methodology therefore needs to be grounded in objectivity in social science. The feminist movement, in achieving liberal values, must not itself become an instrument of repression against the male community. As such the concept goes beyond practise to more of a process of transformational change and make research more inclusive and objective. Feminist research is therefore aimed at the liberation of women. In achieving these objectives they increase the base of knowledge and add value to the overall method approach in social research and inquiry. (Mary Margaret Fonow, 1991). "All the decent people, male and female, are feminists. The only people who are not feminists are those who believe that women are inherently inferior or undeserving of the respect and opportunity afforded men
1. Focusing on gender relations : Its central concern with gender as opposed to conventional social science, which is largely an expression of men which represent the male dominance voice in the patriarchal society, has increased research on gender related issues.
2. The validity of personal experience as against conventional emphasize on scientific method : As per this belief personal experiences can't be validated or nullified. They are something which are felt and these experiences and feelings are real for the women going through it. They consider objectivity and neutrality as a masculine perspective in order to exercise power and control. Objectivity for feminists is an excuse being used for power relationship which treat women as mere objects and keep them in subordinate position by men. Feminists strongly criticized those who object the significance of personal experience and do not consider it as valid and true.
3. Rejecting hierarchy in research relationship between the researcher and the researched : Feminists believe that research process should not be mere a means of collecting data; it should rather be a mean of sharing information with personal involvement of the researcher in the research setting. Feminists reject hierarchy on three points which are ethical grounds, methodology of research and respondents' engaging characteristic. Feminists are concerned about accuracy of the information that depicts the lives and experiences of women. It is suggested that the researcher is required to take the finalized information back to the research participants for its verification because they are the real owners and experts of their personal life experiences.
4. The adoption of emancipation of women as the goal of research : research for sake of research is insufficient. The change of the status quo must be the starting point of the scientific inquiry. The research must serve the interests of women. Feminist research should aim to provide recommendations for policy change with the researcher being a part of the collective efforts involved in political activity. Therefore feminist research is not about women, rather it is for women to be used in changing their sexist society.
Writers like Hammersley has challenged the foundations of the feminist research as he criticized the basic components on which feminists laid their foundation. he opined that many of the ideas on which feminist research is based are found in the non-feminist literature also. Nevertheless, there is an overwhelming recognition that the feminist approach has brought considerable gain to the development of social research through the positive and creative production of knowledge and should not be undermined.