Qualitative Methods in Genders & Sexualities Research: Queering Gender and Sexualities Studies

Abstract

In the last forty years, research, studies, and articles on gender and sexualities have flourished within and beyond the fields of sociology and social sciences. The scholars’ efforts have pushed the boundaries of the discipline to unprecedented limits in terms of both the quality and the richness of their research. Despite these growing and fascinating numbers, it is possible to notice a gap: namely, methods. There are two main reasons for that. On the one hand, scholars had to fiercely fight to make space for their studies in gender and sexualities, as methodologies were left behind. On the other hand, the rigidity and rigorousness of “standard” methodologies were difficult to apply in these new and enhancing fields of study. Today, we know that academic production is not “neutral”, and that it is “gendered”.