This chapter problematises the use of gender theoretical or feminist research perspectives and methods in studies within the field of social welfare. The aim of the text is to examine the consequences that the choice of various gender-theoretical perspectives has on how specific social issues are presented and understood, as well as to show how the choice of perspective and the direction taken have theoretical implications, or influence the methodological choices made in later stages of the research process. To this end, the research on violence in intimate relationships is used to illustrate the argument. An important limitation with the discussion is that questions leaning more towards the philosophy of science are not touched upon. This applies for instance to the relationship between the research and society, which social phenomena that for reasons of research ethics, gender theory or other considerations are legitimate and important objects of study, or the impact that such research ought to have on the political decision-making process. These questions are excluded partly for reasons of space, and partly because they are more general in nature and are therefore not directly related to the concrete work of the research process itself. The concept of gender theory is used to broadly designate research concerning the relationship between the sexes, how gender is constructed, and how gender relations influence power structures. The term is used to cover the various orientations that can be identified in the field of gender research, for example Feminist Studies, Women’s Studies, Men’s Studies, Queer Theory, Gender Equality Studies, etc. The chapter is organised in such a way that the text follows a assumed basic sequence of steps in conducting research. This comprises the fundamental models, concepts, theories, methodologies and methods of the research activity, as well as its analyses and interpretations. This structure roughly corresponds to the levels of analysis that Silverman (2000) and others utilise when teaching research methods in social science.
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