Feminist Research in Theory and Practice

by Letherby, Gayle

• ISBN13: 9780335200290
• ISBN10: 033520029X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-02-01
• Publisher: Open University Press

Summary

This is a clear and accessible exploration of feminist method, methodology and epistemology. After situating herself and her work, Gayle Letherby charts the debates concerned with the epistemological, political and practical issues involved in doing feminist research, and places the debates within a wider consideration of the status of knowledge. The main focus of the book is then the particular and practical issues for feminist researchers. It examines how the process of research affects the results of that research and explores the relation between politics and practice in terms of research and knowledge production. Throughout the book there is a practical emphasis on specific examples of feminist research in action and, as well as summarizing current theoretical debates, Gayle Letherby adds to them. Feminist Research in Theory and Practice is designed and written as a textbook for students (at advanced undergraduate and postgraduate level) but will be a valuable resource for any researcher or individual interested in women's studies, feminism and in researching in the social sciences.

Author Biography

Gayle Letherby is Associate Head of Subject (Social Work, Health and Social Sciences) and Deputy Director of the Centre for Social Justice in the School of Health and Social Sciences at Coventry University. She has published widely in the areas of methodology and epistemology; reproduction, kinship and identity; working and learning in higher education; and criminology.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	xi
Introduction	1	(1)
Initial thoughts	2	(2)
Definitions and meanings	4	(2)
Feminism and feminist research	4	(1)
Methods, methodology and epistemology	5	(1)
The self and other in feminist research	6	(3)
Issues of `I' and other	6	(1)
The `self' as researcher	7	(2)
Myself and feminist research	9	(6)
Introducing myself	9	(1)
Developing academic interests	10	(5)
This book	15	(2)
Relationship to past work	15	(1)
Outline of the book	16	(1)
Notes	17	(1)
Suggested further reading	17	(2)
Educating Rita revisited: knowledge and language in the `male' academy	19	(22)
Introduction	19	(1)
The things men know?	20	(10)
The construction of woman as `other'	20	(4)
Tensions between authorized and experiential knowledge	24	(4)
Further tales of exclusion	28	(2)
Language and male authority	30	(5)
Man-made language?	30	(3)
It's only words	33	(2)
Storming the doors of academia	35	(3)
End points	38	(2)
Note	40	(1)
Suggested further reading	40	(1)
United we stand? The feminist reconstruction of knowledge	41	(20)
Introduction	41	(2)
Stand by your woman	43	(6)
Feminist empiricism	43	(1)
Feminist standpoint epistemology	44	(5)
I am what I am, or am I?	49	(6)
The importance of `difference'	49	(2)
Postmodernism or poststucturalism?	51	(4)
Finding a position	55	(4)
Focusing on the material	55	(1)
The value of difference	56	(1)
Feminist standpoints or feminist epistemologies?	57	(2)
End points	59	(1)
Notes	59	(1)
Suggested further reading	60	(1)
Doing it for ourselves: feminist research as theory in action	61	(19)
Introduction	61	(2)
A critique of malestream theory	63	(9)
The quest for `science'	63	(3)
Generating theory from research	66	(1)
Feminist critiques and alternatives	67	(3)
The problem of objectivity and bias	70	(2)
A feminized approach	72	(7)
`Defining' feminist research	72	(1)
Bringing women in?	73	(2)
Reflexivity and representation	75	(4)
End points	79	(1)
Suggested further reading	79	(1)
Quoting and counting: the qualitative/quantitative divide	80	(19)
Introduction	80	(1)
A short history of the interview	81	(3)
`Tools' of research	81	(2)
Developing a participatory model	83	(1)
The qualitative/quantitative debate in feminism	84	(4)
Establishing the parameters of the debate	84	(1)
Methods and critiques	85	(1)
The `gendered paradigm' divide	86	(1)
Research-specific methods	87	(1)
Doing feminist research	88	(9)
Talking, talking, talking	88	(2)
Writing, reading and looking	90	(3)
Counting and ordering	93	(1)
Looking and living	94	(2)
Triangulation and innovation	96	(1)
End points	97	(1)
Suggested further reading	98	(1)
Whose life is it anyway? Issues of power, empowerment, ethics and responsibility	99	(23)
Introduction	99	(1)
Getting started	100	(7)
Project parameters and research populations	100	(2)
Access	102	(1)
Study group formation	103	(4)
Feminist research in action	107	(9)
Beginnings	107	(2)
Identity, impression management and emotion work	109	(5)
Power, empowerment and `emancipatory' research	114	(2)
Leavings and endings	116	(4)
Leaving the field	116	(1)
Analysing the data	117	(3)
End points	120	(1)
Note	120	(1)
Suggested further reading	121	(1)
Texts of many lives: the implications for feminist research	122	(23)
Introduction	122	(1)
Roles and relationships	123	(8)
Expert or kindred spirit?	124	(2)
Friends and family	126	(1)
`Counselling' and research	127	(1)
Just good friends?	127	(2)
Friendly strangers	129	(1)
Further personal reflections	129	(2)
Us and them	131	(9)
Knotty entanglements	131	(3)
Speaking for `others'	134	(1)
Feminists and non-feminists	135	(2)
Men	137	(2)
Researchers' identities	139	(1)
Auto/biography in research	140	(3)
Motivations and coming out	140	(1)
Auto/biography in research and research writing	141	(2)
End points	143	(1)
Suggested further reading	144	(1)
Close encounters: presentations and audiences	145	(14)
Introduction	145	(1)
Presenting our work	146	(6)
Spreading the word	146	(1)
Publish or perish	147	(1)
Academic gatekeeping	148	(3)
Feminism in fashion!	151	(1)
Responses and receptions	152	(5)
Academic and other audiences	152	(2)
Read all about it: feminism in the media	154	(3)
End points	157	(1)
Suggested further reading	158	(1)
Reflections	159	(3)
References	162	(19)
Index	181