Maguire (1987), in Brayton (1997) defines feminism as: A belief that women universally face some form of oppression

or exploitation A commitment to uncover and understand what causes and sustains oppression in all its forms, and A commitment to work individually and collectively in everyday life to end all forms of oppression. Feminism is about challenging gender inequalities in the social world Feminism is a belief that women universally face some form of oppression It is a commitment to uncover and understand what causes and sustains oppression in all its forms A commitment to work individually and collectively in everyday life to end all forms of oppression

Many contemporary feminist researchers suggest that there is no actual difference between qualitative and quantitative research since both are inherently biased in their definitions and depictions of social reality. Patricia Maguire points to the fact that the arguments made by researchers for the importance and validity of alternative qualitative) research compared to traditional (quantitative) research still are ignorant in attending to gender.

Argues that qualitative and quantitative research models are biased because they present a distorted knowledge about the world. As Harding and other feminists challenge the traditional social science research, they supports their arguments by recognizing that patriarchal values and beliefs in our social world shape both the construction and definition of how research is done and how knowledge is determined. male bias in the world determine how and why research is done and shapes the interpretation of data Feminist research is and uniquely feminist because it is feminist beliefs and concerns that act as the guiding framework to the research process.

Many contemporary feminist researchers suggest that there is no actual difference between qualitative and quantitative research since both are inherently biased in their definitions and depictions of social reality. Patricia Maguire points to the fact that the arguments made by researchers for the importance and validity of alternative qualitative) research compared to traditional (quantitative) research still are ignorant in attending to gender.

Methodologically, feminist research differs from traditional research for three reasons: It actively seeks to remove the power imbalance between the researcher and the subject It is politically motivated and has a major role in changing the social inequality It begins with the standpoint and experiences of women

Feminist research studies the social condition of women in a sexist and patriarchal society (Stanley and Wise 1983) Focus is on commitment to changing the status of women in modern societies, to studying women and to employing feminist researchers. Therefore, feminism is research on women, by women and for women. Employs value-laden methods and procedures that brings the researcher close to the subject

To question male oriented frameworks - feminist research seeks to demonstrate the inadequacies of male oriented perspectives and show the existence of sexist bias in current male oriented research To center and problematise womens diverse situations and frames that influence situations. Feminist research tries to locate women as knowers (both as participants and as researchers) To decentre/deconstruct male oriented research (Spivak 1988) feminist research questions the research authority and the asking of research questions. The main question is who asks questions and who answers questions? To reveal aspects of male control that exist in linguistic and conservational structures To change the status quo-transform the sexist society

Changing the power relationship between the researcher and the subject entails involving the participants at all levels of the research process. One of the concerns of feminist research is to ensure the accuracy of the research in depicting womens lives and experiences. It is important for the research to take the finalized information back to the participants for verification, since they are the experts and owners of their own personal experiences. Feminist research aims to produce knowledge that is not biased by inequitable assumptions about gender and related categories such as class, race, religion, sexuality and nationality. They see in depth interviews as a better option because they encourage subjectivity and intensive dialogue between equals, which are intrinsic features of feminist analysis of gender experience.

Sandra Harding is an American philosopher born in 1935 Harding (1987) views methodology as a theory and analysis of how research does and should proceed Harding called her model standpoint and epistemology because for her, feminist research is not simply having women engaged as researchers. Rather, it is about taking womens location and standpoint in the world as the basis for research, where research will proceed from a perspective that values womens experiences, ideas and needs rather than assuming we should be all like men.

Works on the theoretical proposition that women, due to their personal and social experience as females, are in a better position than males to face and understand the world of women Rejects traditional research methods Focuses on feminist methodologies/methods and the like Builds on and from womens experiences Sets womens everyday experiences at the center of research concerns Employs feminists quantitative methods. Assumes researcher reflexivity Feminist standpoint theory thus embodies three simultaneous goals: to incorporate new information into social research (based on the bodies, experiences, and emotions of marginalized people), to develop new standards for collecting and evaluating evidence (focused on subjectivity rather than objectivity), and to empower marginalized groups through the research process (centered on promoting participation and a political purpose).

The focus of feminist research, according to Harding, is: Recovery and reappreciation of womens research Examination of womens public contributions as originators of social forms Study of women as victims of hegemonic dominance

Hammersley (1992) feminists do not have a perspective of their own; rather, they are theoretical and methodological principles of other paradigms such as Marxism, naturalism, critical theory and psychoanalysis. Some early feminist writings suggested that quantitative research was inappropriate for feminist research this raises the problem of objectivity

Possibility of bias the results are more easily influenced by the researchers personal bias and idiosyncrasies Data analysis is often time consuming

Feminist research is an emancipator type of enquiry. It not only documents aspects of reality, it also takes a personal, political and engaging stance to the world. With its emphasis on participative, qualitative inquiry, feminist research has provided a valuable alternative framework for researchers who have felt uncomfortable with treating people as research objects Feminist research has the ability to combine research methods to attain the widest and most accurate representation of reality

Is responsive to local situations, conditions and stakeholder needs Reduces the power imbalance between the researcher and the respondent Provides understanding and description of peoples personal experiences of phenomenon the insider view point. Data is based on participants own categorization of meaning

Harding S. (1987) ,(ed) Method, Methodology in Feminist Research, Routledge, London Harding S. (1998) Is Science Multicultural ? Postcolonialism, Feminism and Epistemologies Stanley L and Wise (1993) Breaking Out Again: Feminism Ontology and Epistemology, Routledge, London