Does feminism count? Exploring practice and possibilities - critical social research seminar

Rachel Cohen (University of Surrey)
This session aims to (a) discuss the use of quantitative methods by feminist researchers; (b) consider the possibilities for and obstacles to feminist engagement with quantitative research, highlighting the ways in which feminist analysis can make significant contributions to mainstream methodological thought. The session will include discussion of findings from a study of feminist methodological practice. These findings show a dearth of explicitly feminist quantitative analysis. Drawing on the study, several reasons for an ongoing feminist antipathy towards the use of quantitative methods will be suggested. There is, however, much to be gained (on both sides) from greater feminist engagement with quantitative methods. The session will end with a practical workshop designed to enable participants to engage with thinking through the issues of producing a quantitative feminist analysis. 

This event is open to researchers of any methodological and epistemological persuasion and does not presume any advanced forms of statistical knowledge.