The tyranny of feminist methodology in women's health research

Abstract

Awareness of the insufficient degree to which mainstream research has created useful knowledge about women's health has drawn many researchers to feminist methodologies. Such approaches tend to privilege qualitative designs, emancipatory objectives, and cooperative strategies. They challenge the notions of expert power, the appropriation of voice, and ownership of the research products. By uncovering the extent to which power inequities are embedded in our research traditions, including such issues as who conducts research, which questions are studied, and how they are studied, feminist critique can be a powerful tool toward stronger research with more socially relevant findings. However, taken to extremes, feminist methodological requirements can immobilize and discourage active inquiry. In this paper, we articulate major directives of a feminist stance, explain the extremes at which they become problematic, and propose responsive options for women's health researchers. We intend such analysis to overcome divisiveness and promote inclusiveness without sacrificing excellence in research and action.