ABSTRACT
This chapter argues the necessity of including what are uniquely 'feminist social work approaches' to the way social scientists teach, understand and do research that may also inform and give value to the broader multi-disciplinary field of feminist research. It begins by mapping how social workers methodologically use feminism. It provides an overview of dominant methodological choices which are predominantly based in intersectionality, narrative approaches and Foucauldian analyses. The relationship between feminism and social work research is a strong, producing powerful empirical research and scholarship. Contemporary social work feminist research often draws its focus from the broad rubric of post-structuralist approaches and theories and in particular Foucauldian discourse theories, narrative theories and intersectionality. The chapter begins with intersectionality and suggests that intersectionality is an approach, a methodological lens rather than a theoretical perspective that can be used alongside multiple theories. Cultural studies have been prevalent in shaping how to write ethnography using cultural tools like fiction, performance, autobiography and poetry.
