differences and the relationship between power and knowledge. As such, this approach
demonstrates the following characteristics:
reflexive and highly sensitive to power and the power relations that shape processes of knowledge
production and in how power operates in metanarratives.
interested in determining how “what is considered knowledge” becomes such, and the effects of this
knowledge; rather than what counts as authoritative knowledge.
interrogates how some forms of knowledge become more authoritative than others.
emphasizes the human capacity to misunderstand, to universalize, to privilege the ethnocentric, to
conflate truth with prejudices that serve the interests of the knower
knowledge is socially-constructed
uses discourse as a way of specifying what counts as knowledge, which consists of concepts,
categories, and beliefs as objects of analysis to heighten understanding of the relations between
power and knowledge.
At this point, philosopher Michel Foucault was cited in which knowledge as discursive constructs
does not represent an underlying reality. As such it is concerned with the interconnections of
language, knowledge, and power and it treats discourse as regimes of power which promote
specific interests; some interests are served by particular constructions of reality and which can
be challenged and changed. In particular, hegemonic discourses should be challenged by
subjugated knowledge, postmodern thought opens possibilities for the surfacing of subjugated
voices. This challenges feminism's tendency to universalize and naturalize and argues that
categories of woman, man, masculinity, femininity have meaning only in the context of
historically contingent and culturally specific discourses which construct social realities. Lastly,
it was indicated that a problem with this approach is that patriarchy and feminism are not
generally valid and women's emancipation and empowerment are treated as a grand narrative.
Ontology refers to theory of reality or being, the foundation of knowledge and asks what is the
nature of the aspects of gender and power. Feminist ontology suggests that reality is found in
women’s concrete and diverse everyday experiences located within unequal social structures.
Methodology comprises of rules and principles that guide and inform how one goes about the
research. Feminist methodology takes into account ethical and political concerns specifically
about representation, non-hierarchical relationship with research participants, how power
influences knowledge production, reflexivity, transparency, accountability in knowledge
construction. This takes into account representation, reflexivity, ethical practices in the stages
of design, data-gathering, analysis and interpretation, publication, and data validation and
sharing of research findings; popularization of the research
Some Research Methods Feminist Researchers Use
The presentation also did a quick rundown of the following research methods:
Interviews can take the form of key informant, structured, and semi-structured.
Surveys consists of asking question of a representative cross-section of the population and involves
a survey instrument, respondents, and interviewers.
Life Story involves story-telling by women of events throughout their life cycle.
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