The purpose of the study is to develop a framework for feminist participatory research, an alternative, emancipatory approach to social science research. Feminist participatory research, which challenges male oppression of women, is important in light of participatory research's intention to uncover and change systems of oppression. The study builds a rationale and framework for feminist participatory research through a critical literature review and a field-based feminist participatory research project with a multicultural former battered women's group in Gallup, New Mexico. Thus, the framework is a result of praxis, i.e., interaction between theory and practice through a reflection-action cycle. To establish a rationale for feminist participatory research, the study examines dominant and alternative paradigm social science research. Examination of participatory research exposes androcentric, i.e., male-centered, aspects similar to the male biases of dominant, positivist-informed research. A comparison of feminist and participatory research provides the basis for a feminist participatory research framework. The second part of the study describes the Former Battered Women's Support Group Project. Anglo and Navajo women name, investigate, and explore solutions to problems they face after leaving a local shelter. Extensive interview material is included. The project is analyzed and evaluated using both participatory research characteristics and the framework. Participants have a voice in project evaluation. The study concludes with recommendations for further developing feminist participatory research. The study is of interest to participatory and feminist researchers and those exploring emancipatory research approaches. It may interest practitioners and researchers working with former battered women.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UMASS/oai:scholarworks.umass.edu:dissertations-1172 |
| Date | 01 January 1987 |
| Creators | MAGUIRE, PATRICIA ANN |
| Publisher | ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst |
| Source Sets | University of Massachusetts, Amherst |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest |
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