ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to propose an approach to social research which draws on a multidisciplinary methodology, which is anti-oppressive, and which is particularly valuable for people who are working and researching in the social, health and welfare professions. It is therefore important to explore alternative ways of conducting research which are not constrained by the dominant conventions. The chapter focuses on black feminist perspectives as a guide to anti-oppressive values and have attempted to describe and justify critical life histories as a research methodology which meets these criteria, and which is particularly relevant for the stated purposes. The ability of oral history techniques to illuminate the lives of people who belong to the dominated groups within our society has much to offer an anti-oppressive approach to social research. The sociological tradition of the 'life history', or the 'life documents', method of research has obvious relevance to social, health and welfare fields.
