Feminist Methodological Reflection

Abstract

Feminist inquiry is not reserved for women or even for those who identify themselves as feminists. It invites every scholar to revisit his or her epistemology and core conceptualizations throughout the research process. Feminist theory and methods provoke self-reflection, empower the researcher to explore new questions revealed by such reflection, and guide the research process in ways that are attentive to the power of knowledge. To assume that only feminists or women could do feminist inquiry would be to ignore the scholarship that feminist inquiry requires. If we assume that some people understand power through their struggles with power and not through their scholarly study of power, we belittle the scholarship of those who struggle.