Module 8

Feminist Methodology

• Influence on Research

  • Feminist perspectives shape the focus of social research, affecting both the questions asked and those omitted.

  • There is a call for integrating traditionally separate spheres of study, such as family and work, leisure and domestic responsibilities.

Self-Injury Research

• Demographics and Behavior

  • Research indicates that 85% of individuals who self-injure are female.

  • Feminist researchers examine societal pressures on women's bodies, leading to increased self-injury rates.

  • Self-injury in men is explored as a consequence of hypermasculinity and tolerance of pain.

Global Research Impacts

• Global Context

  • Feminist theorists argue against separating industrial and developing nations, emphasizing their interconnectedness.

  • Call for greater research on immigrant women's roles in household maintenance and the dynamics between developed and developing nations in issues such as domestic work and sex trafficking.

Approach to Research

• Consultation and Change Orientation

  • Feminist researchers actively involve their subjects in the research process and aim to raise public awareness and impact policy.

  • Multidisciplinary approaches are utilized, incorporating various fields such as history, law, and queer theory.

Representation in Data

• Inclusivity in Research

  • Question the inclusivity of studies regarding LGBTQ community members.

  • Highlight tensions in qualitative and quantitative methods to obtain representative data.

LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Social Perspectives

• Research Findings

  • LGBTQ respondents exhibit differing racial attitudes compared to heterosexuals, suggesting nuanced social experiences.

  • National studies indicate significant underreporting of LGBTQ populations, resulting in distorted data interpretations.

  • Questionnaire wording affects the reported sexual orientation, suggesting a need for careful framing in research.

Technology and Data Accessibility

• Big Data Utilization

  • Advances in technology have democratized access to data, allowing broader research opportunities for sociologists.

  • Issues like the USA's prison population reveal extensive research possibilities.

Impact on Families

• Children of Incarcerated Individuals

  • Approximately 7 million adults are in U.S. correctional systems, affecting over 1.7 million children.

  • Research on program effectiveness for children with incarcerated parents shows mixed results regarding the impact of interventions such as mentoring.

  • Focus on older children indicates the necessity of long-term support beyond academic improvement to address their broader social challenges.

Human Sexuality Research Challenges

• Controversies and Methods

  • Research on human sexual behavior is laden with social stigma, complicating efforts to collect reliable data.

  • Historical research, like Kinsey reports, lacks representation and has been inadequately funded.

  • Governmental support for sexual behavior research faces significant pushback, hindering the advancement of public policy informed by empirical data.

Conclusion: Sociological Evolution

• Summary of Impacts

  • Feminist theories and technological advancements significantly influence research methods, study focus, and globalization in sociology.

  • Despite funding hurdles, projects like the National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS) provide crucial insights into adult sexual behaviors and societal issues.