Despite the rise of feminist empirical research, there has been little discussion in composition studies of what it means to do this research and few guidelines for conducting it. What's needed is a forum in which novices as well as experienced feminist teachers, researchers, and theorists can meet in ways that value and inform each others' work as well as provide guidance for others.
Feminist Empirical Research is designed to introduce those who are interested in feminism, or already attempting to conduct empirical research in feminist ways, to theoretical and methodological discussions as well as practical strategies that can help not only feminist empirical researchers, but empirical researchers in general. Some of the contributors engage in research and reflect upon it by questioning its effects on their classrooms, pedagogies, and, most important, themselves and their students. Others reflect critically on writing research conducted outside of classroom settings in the same spirit. As a whole, the collection reflects a multiplicity of voices and experiences - Nnot in an attempt to replace one dogma with another, but to position this work as a starting point for further reflective practices and, ultimately, continuing discussions.