Teaching Feminist Research Methods: Evidence-Based Teaching

Abstract

What are Feminist research methods and how are they different from other, non-Feminist research methods? This presentation begins by interrogating the question of how research methods become labeled as Feminist. Building on this knowledge, we detail how this investigation guided our implementation of a new Feminist Research Methods course. The evaluation [research] of this course yielded information regarding the deeply ingrained connection students have between certain research methods and Feminist practice, despite completing a course that explicitly argued for the application of the label "Feminist" to any research rooted in Feminist theory or practices, regardless of the methodologies employed. Additionally, the evaluation [research] we performed of the first offering of this course has allowed us to revise the course based on evidence, not just "hunches," in ways that improve the student experience as well as identify some of the structural and pedagogical challenges when teaching Feminist research methods.