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Feminist Research Methodologies (GEMMA) - WOM00014M

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  • Department: Centre for Women's Studies
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This module is primarily designed to familiarise students with a variety of methodologies (ways of assessing and theorising research practices) within women’s studies, while also introducing some key methods (tools for acquiring and analysing data). The module prepares students for their dissertation and helps develop skills for further research. We emphasise: a) interdisciplinarity; b) culturally specific research, and the challenges of working across cultures and languages; c) situating the researching self; d) critical engagement with textual and qualitative methods; e); the identification of research topics and appropriate methodologies for a diverse range of projects.

Module learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course students will be able to:

  • Identify salient research questions, and applicable methods and theories to respond to these questions

  • Produce an appropriate ethics form, and critically reflect on ethical considerations in research

  • Demonstrate reflexivity in their learning process

  • Plan in outline an M-level research project

  • Deal with primary and secondary material across a range of academic and popular sources, critically assessing their strengths and limitations in investigating gender issues

  • Utilise traditional and digital methods of information retrieval and bibliographic resources for research purposes

  • Discuss and engage with mono- multi- trans- and inter- disciplinary research methods and methodologies within feminist research

  • Demonstrate an understanding of cultural and historical specificity.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

For GEMMA Yr 1 students, the assessment format of the essay/portfolio will remain the same total length (3,500-4,000 words) but the requirements will be slightly adjusted, whereby the portfolio will consist of: reflexive journal 2,000-2,500 words; a literature review 1,500-2,000 words (total 3,500-4,000). The portfolio will constitute 100% of the module mark. The research poster (previously worth 10% of total module mark) will be removed as a summative requirement and turned into a formative exercise instead, for this cohort as well as all students taking Feminist Research Methodologies. All students will receive support on designing their research poster in a FRACS skills workshop at the start of sem 2, and all students will present their posters at the annual Sisterhood in Action conference, which should enable students to discuss their research with a wider group and use the formative research poster as both a networking and project/research-development opportunity. This will ensure tailored support for GEMMA Yr 1 students and equity of assessment support provided.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment, as per the standard university assessment policies and practices. They will also receive continuous formative feedback and support via the module workshops, staff office hours, and the annual Sisterhood in Action conference, where students will present their formative research posters and further hone their assessment topics and dissertation research and methodological ideas.

Indicative reading

Anzaldúa, G. Borderlands/ La Frontera: the new mestiza Spinsters/Aunt Lute, 1987.

Buikema, R. et al. Theories and methodologies in postgraduate feminist research: researching differently

Routledge, 2011.

Johnson, R, et.al. The practice of cultural studies, Sage, 2004.

Letherby G. ‘Gender-Sensitive Method/ologies' in Richardson, D.; & Robinson, V.; Introducing

gender and women’s studies Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.

Mounzar, L. War in Translation: Giving voice to the women of Syria The Literary Hub, 2016.

Parameswaran, R. ‘Media Ethnography in India: Exploring Power, Gender, and Culture in the Field’

Qualitative Enquiry, 7:1, 2001.

Ramazanoglu, C.; Feminist methodology: challenges and choices, Sage, 2002.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.