''Chicana/o Power!''1 Epistemology and methodology for social justice and empowerment in Chicana/o communities

Abstract

This paper questions the epistemology underlying contemporary, innovative approaches to research. In particular, it is critical of the negative impact that institutions and their epistemological and methodological traditions have on Chicanas os. The paper retells the author's struggles in attempting to employ social justice as a critical measure of the strength of research. Critical race theory helps reveal the necessity and benefits of this approach. Chicana o epistemology then becomes the basis for the development of a new methodological approach to research in Chicana o communities. The method itself is grounded in social justice, both as objective and as process. The most significant contribution of this work is that in attempting to reshape methods through a Chicana o epistemology it addresses the ways in which researchers can effectively participate in community efforts at transformation and empowerment.