scope of feminist method in social science research

screen background of womens rightist regularity acting in companionable experience questionThis opus examines the distinctive contribution of a womens liberationist methodology in mixer scholarship seek. The Introduction kayoedlines both the historical and future panoramas. The paper is past divided into two distinct parts (1) Feminist Research What this promoter in terms of societal science enquiry, the methods utilised together with the ch bothenges and wefts intricate. final with the epistemo ordered issues raised by doing womens rightist research (2) considers the several(predicate) perspectives and recap of conventional research. This illustrated by appropriate case study modellings. Most researchers in sociology tend to agree that in that location is no single distinct womens rightist methodology. There is much(prenominal) a collective consciousness that was born from feminist movements in the 1960s and 1970s where a gathering of women talked openl y, developing a mode of query that ch eitherenged the conventional norms of research. These women collectively became known as feminists and teach individuals that formed a new-fashioned basis for knowledge. Although the original works were lended stunneddoor(a) of an academic setting, it soon became app bent that there was a leave out of distaff representation in mainstream sociology or loving science. (Devault 1996). Over the last 25 years womanly sociologists maintain do satisfying advances in button back the prejudices against women and in general interpreting the workings of society. Feminism was essentially born from a movement and a belief in settle gender inequalities.Within the general claims to male dominance in social speculation, three challenges have emerged (i) the criticism against that of female knowledge and its inability to discuss adequate work that illustrates scientific or un bended knowledge. This resulted in feminists sexual climax under sc rutiny in enjoin to demonstrate abilities to rationalise knowledge, f atomic number 18 verification, government issueivity and freedom from political bias. Secondly, how different influences shaped womens lives. Examples cited acknowledged that of ethnical divisions, social divisions and power relations (Caroline Ramazanolu 2004). The danger here is integrity of stereotyping and simply branding women as one gender that provides a constant result. The third challenge intert drinks that of knowledge and gender whereby in essence women atomic number 18 taken for granted.In 1987 Sandra Harding (Harding 1987) provided insight into the difference amid that of Method, Methodology and Epistemology. She equated Epistemology to that of a theory of knowledge with the object glass of answering specific questions. Further, that there argon two distinct epistemologies namely that of a Feminist empiricism and a Feminist Standpoint. The experimental part is that where a response is provid ed to bias and conventional responses (Harding 1987). Whereas, standpoint refers to a specific feminist opinion founded upon an explanation of knowledge. In order to understand and complete a feminist standpoint the proofreader needs to come more involved with the intellectual and political struggles that a womens experience is built upon Sandra Hardings views on Standpoint Epistemology snaped more on the purposes of objectivity. Harding advocated a new ideal of strong objectivity, as opposed to that of the list slight apprehension which she referred to as objectivism. She stated that objectivity must contain all social determine and interests from the research that is carried out. She was aware that certain social values could adversely impact the research and cause potential distortions. As such(prenominal) Harding viewed traditional research concepts and objectivity as the denial of cultures best beliefs (knowledge), whereas the new version risey emb accelerates both p olitical and historical origins.Harding believed that her new theory h centenarians validity, situationly from the feminist standpoint i.e. women are part of an oppressed group and as such they approach research problems in a less arbitrary way. They are more likely to evaluate theories that might other than be overlooked or denied by more traditional concepts or viewpoints. Harding states that that the standpoint has a substantial foundation in the empirical experiences of women and although this may not constitute a foundation of knowledge, nevertheless it does create a more diverse contribution leading towards increased objectivity. (Stanley 1990).Historically the well-nigh public expression of female action has been associated with that of liberation and the emancipation of women. This has veerd from the concept of radical insistence, to clarifying the purpose of research and ultimately to transformation in terms of political action. It was Maria Mies that proposed feminist research should be ordered with the overall political goals and aspirations of women. Hence, there needs to be a full integration of social and political action appropriate to the emancipation of women. (Mary Margaret Fonow, beyond methodology feminist scholarship as lived research 1991). feminist questionFeminist research can essentially be defined as research conducted by what has become known as feminists, essentially picture upon experiences of women in what is perceived as a male dominated world. The objective of research is based the creation of useful knowledge in order to make affixed contributions by different perspectives of musical theme. Feminism is based upon a practice session of women sharing the same agenda with men and overcoming the struggle relative to gender, race and class. The foundation of this was really built in the 1980s. Feminist research has since become more focused on how the lives of women have become materially modify by men and the development of strategies in order to resist this assist (Mary Maynard 2005).Feminist research in general terms has had a lack of agreement to what precisely defines feminist theory and practice. As such there is not really a single unifying theory. It was Patricia Maguire (Breyton 1997) that protracted the premise that feminist movement is (i) An understanding and belief that women face some form of oppression (ii) A commitment to understand female oppression and exploitation in all of its forms (iii) A commitment towards elimination of all forms of female oppression. (Breyton 1997).FEMINIST METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH Feminist methods may have quaternary main objectives (i) the ability to uncover and overcome types of bias in research (ii) The ability to detect and create social pitch (iii) a concept or method to illustrate human diversity (iv) An acknowledgement of the documentation and position of the researcher. In order to create social change both method must include and r espect the participants as change agents. The method needs to acknowledge diversity and that not all women see the social world in the same way e.g. the method approach to interviews and inquiry that explore the experiences of different religions. (Sprague 2005)i.e. evidence has been presented to support theory presented.Feminist studies use both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, although qualitative research is more readily used. The term methodology relates to more of a process of how to conduct research i.e. what you need to select, empirical study of what to observe, what to measure and how to conduct analysis. The method id more related to the precise technique of carrying out the study. (Sprague 2005) A common assumption has been that methodology and epistemology are identical. This has created a relatively narrow technical foul approach towards carrying out and conducting research. The concept of methodology essentially opens the way for conducting choice i.e. the implications of what we should do and how we might do it. It facilitates questions on data collection and assimilation. As such methodology paves the way for critical reflection and creativity at heart the social sciences.THE CHALLENGES AND CHOICES Feminist researchers have taken very different approaches to the sufferance of methodology. As such they have adopted differing means to the acquisition and formation of knowledge. This has tended to lean towards a more scientific and evidential base of presenting knowledge. This has avoided the more serious challenges of refuting feminist research and rejecting it on the basis that it contains no scientific method. The example macrocosm the study into baby abuse, as such it never becomes a clear cut case but contains many convoluted shades of grey and is nearly always disputable. In many situations feminist researchers are particularly vulnerable in this regard. (Caroline Ramazanolu 2004).In underway terms it is important to recognise that a large number of women are employed in science, engineering and academic positions. As such they offer a diverse range of opinions on a wide range of subject matter. The female positions tend to have two distinct types of focus (i) that engaged with the sciences and (ii) that focused upon society. Researchers have emerged from former marginalised groups and as such have had a profound way of changing the pattern of inquiry and thought process. There are still those however that holds the opinion that feminism is a threat to the objectivity of science. Sandra Harding pointed out that if all knowledge is socially constructed it will pose a major threat and challenge to science. For example with to the highest degree scientists the notion that their views of the natural world are subjective is counter to their professed(prenominal) training. (Wyer 2008) It is important to note that the feminist researchers have made a epoch-making impact over the last thirty years. T his has included a material contribution to methodologies in the social sciences particularly responding to the challenge of how women have been inhibit in both society and research. The feminists have obtained epochal success in bringing about social change and creating a degree of honor in both professional and personal lives. Whilst much of the success has been in the first world countries, there still remains a significant challenge for women in the third world and those emerging economies. In particular the native women of Africa, the women in the Islamic communities and others in the emerging countries like India and China. stellar(a) CONTRIBUTIONS Early contributions in the 1970s were made by feminist sociologists that include the likes of Marcia Millman and Rosebeth Moss Kanter.1They made a number of suppositions in sociology that focused on issues or problems with existing use of sociological methods. In essence they objected to how assumptions to sociological theories manifested themselves. They challenged the empirical views of male sociologists and demonstrated a new vision as seen stringently from the female perspective. (Harding 1987).The researcher and author Carol Gilligan2In a different character Psychological Theory and Womens Development agreed the point that conventional theorists are ill-use to dismiss the wisdom of women on grounds of lower maturity. Gilligan asked that we listen to women in their different views and not try to compartmentalize them but credit women for the significant contributions over many disciplines in the sciences and the arts. (Harding 1987).Evelyn Fox Keller3had completed a dandy deal of ground breaking work that exposed sexual bias in the sciences. She predicted that women needed to be careful in rejecting concepts of objectivity and reasonableness as they would not be regarded as the icons for creating a new verge but were more likely to be doomed and marginalized outside of the political mainstream. F ox herself later found herself in the dilemma of having to choose between feminism and science. Fox stated that the more we questioned methodology the great it generated text file on epistemology and as such methodology became an end-in-itself. (Winnie Tomm 1989).Maria Mies4(McDonald 2004)concluded that the quantitative take after method is itself not free from androcentric bias, further there is a contradiction between the prevalent theories of social science, methodology and the political aims of women (McDonald 2004). Meis argued that if we revert to these old traditional concepts they will again be turned into instruments of repression new wine should not be poured into old bottles (McDonald 2004)One of the most influential citizenry in the sports stadium of standpoint epistemology was that of Dorothy E Smith. Smith is famous passim the world as a developer of theories and as such she has advanced the academic position from a feminist standpoint. Smith developed theories and concepts around the subject matter of gender and particularly that of the ruling texts of man. She advocated that many texts were compiled from the male perspective and as such were responsible for defining gender. She further advocated that such rules indite by men determined the rules of society and defined the way in which we live and conduct our lives. Amongst the books that Smith referenced were the US Constitution, The Holy tidings and the Communist Manifesto. Smith stated that the rulings defined in many of these books were all opposite to the manner in which women conducted their lives today. Such obsolescence creates the way for transformation of view and revision in these areas. Ryan B Johnson (Johnson, Standpoint Epistemology Summary 2010).EPISTEMOLOGICAL ISSUES OF FEMINIST RESEARCHEpistemology of feminist research broadly refers to the value of knowledge or the scientific method applied in order to conduct the research. An example being that of empirical or qua litative research. One of the important issues relates to the discrepancy between quantitative and qualitative techniques in feminist research. The historical draw that exists between the two research methods have been documented however the logical associations remain disputationable. As such feminist methodology cannot be firm anchored to either camp of quantitative or qualitative style of research.Gilligan5pointed out that qualitative research represents the voice that is most consistent with female research values. Equally the researchers a good deal use the perspective of a different voice, this being done in order to provide the distinction between that of a male opinionated voice. The female voice seeking to be faraway more evident in defining in the definition of company and relationships. Mies stated that because women have been well versed in repression they have greater objectivity than men in this subject area. This is evident when they are involved in researching exploited groups. In essence women have more empathy and are able to better understand the important issues in a different light or perspective. (Janet Holland 2010).There is also the concept of stereotyping all women as feminists. Many female researchers have been primarily trained in traditional qualitative methodologies and despite the fact that they may have alternate or other views are most likely to revert to the traditional methods of carrying out research. Psychologist Laurie Rudman has completed research that has changed the views on proscribe stereotyping of women. Rudmans research found that negative stereoptypes of women are very widespread and even include educated late women. Her research further substantiated that strong independent women have satisfying sentimentalist lives and their men are happy too as opposed to the widely held convention that feminists are man hating harpies (Branson 2007)SUMMARY PERSPECTIVESFemale researchers have made a number of distinct ive contributions 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 contend traditional methods. There have been some outstanding contributions to social science research from leading female researchers Goelting and Fernstermaker,61995 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 join objective of changing the method of consciousness that was historically rooted in concepts of empirical research. Women became more aware of an alternate base for knowledge and the concept of introducing the womens experience into the methodology deployed. The early movement thereby highlighted the omission of this perspective. In addition, the group highlight ed the racism that was faced by African/Americans in the regular army 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, juvenile crime etc. This often results in a more holistic and complete enquiry than would otherwise have been obtained from the traditional male dominated approach. (DeVault 1999).The emancipation of women in social science would provide women with an increased knowledge of their own social serving within society. Any feminist methodology accordingly nee ds to be grounded in objectivity in social science. The feminist movement, in achieving broad(a) values, must not itself become an instrument of repression against the male community. As such the concept goes beyond methodology 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. Either you are a feminist or you are a sexist/misogynist. There is no blow marked other.- Ani DiFranco. (M. P. Johnson 2005).3406