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Feminist Methodologies: A Consideration of Principles and Practice for Research in Gerontology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Sheila M. Neysmith
Sheila M. Neysmith
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
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Abstract

Feminist methodologies address the purpose and process of the research enterprise. They are not a particular set of techniques or procedures for gathering data. Rather they stem from the realization that it was the experiences of a very particular group of men, as both subject and object of enquiry, that defined social reality and the theories developed to explain our social worlds. This paper discusses some of the principles and approaches used by feminist researchers to explore the realities of women's lives. The author's research on home care workers, along with selected research in the field of aging, are used to illustrate the analysis and explore the implications of feminist methodologies for our understanding of aging in Canadian society.

Résumé

Les méthodologies féministes traitent de la raison d'être et des procédés du secteur de la recherche. Elles ne forment pas une série particulière de techniques ou de marches à suivre servant à compiler des données. Elles découlent plutôt de la constatation que l'existence d'un groupe d'hommes très particulier, tant sujet qu'objet de l'enquête, définissait la réalité sociale et les théories élaborées pour expliquer notre milieu social. Cet article aborde certains des principes et méthodes utilisés par des chercheures en vue d'étudier les réalités dans la vie des femmes. Le travail effectué par l'auteure sur les travailleurs en soins à domicile, ainsi que des recherches choisies dans le domaine du vieillissement servent à illustrer l'analyse et considérer les conséquences des méthodologies féminines afin de comprendre le vieillissement au sein de la société canadienne.

Keywords

WomenHomemakersAgingFeminist Praxis.Femmestravailleurs à domicilevieillissementpraxis féministe.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 14 , Issue S1 , Été/Summer 1995 , pp. 100 - 118
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1995

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