ABSTRACT
The feminist critique of neoclassical economic theory is by now well articulated, whether or not it has had an impact. While some feminist economists are grappling with producing ever more sophisticated critiques, others are trying to get on with the business of doing meaningful research on important economic issues. They find that the standards for empirical research and data collection in mainstream economics create difficulties in dealing with feminist concerns. Issues such as power relations in households and the subtle processes which create the glass ceiling in the work world are not easily investigated and measured. Just as neoclassical theory gives rise to certain data needs, so does feminist theory. Feminist economists are borrowing methods from the other social sciences, including survey research, case studies and participant observation. These are suspect endeavors, for which economists are neither trained nor rewarded.
