Feminist Approaches to Criminological Research

Abstract:     
In this chapter we argue that there is no orthodox methodology in feminist criminology. Rather, there are a series of methodological preferences that feminists adopt as a means of pursuing research questions inspired by: the insights of gender theory; the need for social change; the advances made by post-positivist epistemologies; the importance of experience in understanding crime and justice and; a commitment to breaking down the power relations inherent in research through processes of reflexivity. We provide an overview of approaches to research favoured by feminist criminologists. In order to highlight on-going debates and emerging themes in feminist methodology we focus on research that investigates violence against women. Four themes are featured: intersectionality; the victim/agent dichotomy; integrity and analysis and; the ‘textual turn’ in research. We flesh out these themes through two cases studies based on our own research on violence against Filipino women and homophobic violence against women.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 33

Keywords: feminist criminology, feminist methodology, feminist research in crime, qualitative research, feminist epistemology, violence, victims, intersectionality, post-positivism

JEL Classification: K10, K14, K30

Accepted Paper Series