The quantitative/qualitative debate and feminist research : a subjective view of objectivity

Research methods are "technique for... gathering data" and are generally dichotomised into being either quantitative or qualitative. It has been argued that methodology has been gendered, with quantitative methods traditionally being associated with words such as positivism, scientific, objectivity, statistics and masculinity. In contrast, qualitative methods have generally been associated with interpretivism, non-scientific, subjectivity and femininity. These associations have led some feminist researchers to criticise or even reject the quantitative approach, arguing that it is in direct conflict with the aims of feminist research. It has been argued that qualitative methods are more appropriate for feminist research by allowing subjective knowledge, and a more equal relationship between the researcher and the researched. This paper considers the quantitative/qualitative divide and the epistemological reasoning behind the debate before investigating two research methods, the statistical survey and the semi-structured interview, in respect of their use to feminist researchers. It concludes by arguing that different feminist issues need different research methods, and that as long as they are applied from a feminist perspective there is no need for the dichotomous "us against them", "quantitative against qualitative" debates.