Grey Blobs Essay

When analyzing Feminist Research Principles, there is no black and white areas, nothing is absolute. A few principles, to some extent, are grey blobs. Some of the ideas set in place by feminist research contradicts other methods and can lead to confusion. On the contrary there are methods which are well rooted and can lead to beneficiary and sound data. Nevertheless their ideology can be used to further research and gain a better perspective about a subject. For instance, the grey blobs represent two principles provided by Mary Fanow and Judith Cook. One of these principles states the necessity to place emphasis on the empowerment of women and transformation of patriarchal social institutions. This principle is somewhat useful because

This principle states the necessity of consciousness- raising or debunking. As stated earlier, the foundation for this principle is an excellent tool. Never take anything as absolute fact and always question any information provided. Eventually this can yield beneficial data that may have never been discovered if researchers simply interpreted data as fact. Allowing individuals to unearth perspectives can lead to new forms of comprehension. There is a potentially tremendous amount of knowledge waiting to be discovered. The inconsistency lies within the usage of words such as “general orientation.” This has the ability to lead to a narrow mind. If research is only conducted to debunk it loses validity. It objectifies the material being researched. How can everything be debunked? Maybe I am the narrow mind. I should ask “Why can’t everything be debunked?” There is not one giant body of knowledge but many. Some knowledge remains dormant because of the bias placed by this principle. How can a feminist researcher “encourage a general orientation or way of seeing?” To promote a way of thinking is in itself anti- feminism. As James Rule states, these principles “lack conceptual unity.” The need for a more encompassing method or principle is needed to balance out the contradictions that lie within the principles stated