ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses two critical quantitative research approaches outlined earlier, namely, empowerment and feminist research. It begins with a brief review of the empowerment model. Empowerment research is concerned with helping subservient groups break the chain of exploitation and take action to help themselves. Empowerment research may be particularly relevant for nonprofit sector research. The feminist approach has made significant contributions to people understanding of both public administration and nonprofit organizations. Feminist research promotes the feminist agenda by challenging male dominance and advocating social, political, and economic equality. Although no uniquely feminist methods appear to exist, feminist researchers use existing quantitative and qualitative methods in a distinctly feminist way. It is common to find feminist survey research, feminist experimental research, and feminist field research used in ways consistent with feminist principles. Feminist researchers use such qualitative methods as in-depth interviews, participant observation, document analysis, and ethnographic studies. The chapter concludes with a more detailed examination of the feminist approach.
