Ethics and Feminist Research: Theory and Practice

Abstract

In this chapter we are concerned with ethical perspectives on qualitative social research, from a feminist perspective in particular. We connect theoretical ethical models with the complex dilemmas we encounter in the ‘doing’ of research. We begin our exploration of such issues by laying out explanations for the rise of concern about the practice of ethics in social research. We then pinpoint ethical concerns in social research, which subsequent chapters explore in more depth. We review specific ethical models including deontology, consequentialism, virtue ethics of skills, rights/justice ethics and the ethics of care. After considering some of the care-based ethical debates we suggest some practical guidelines for researchers to consider rooted in a feminist ethics of care