A critique of research: A feminist perspective

Despite the proliferation of research on women since 1970, the male bias remains prevalent in the scientific community. This paper addresses three areas of concern to women that result from the dominance of the male bias in research. These areas are: (1) the impact of the male bias in the development of research on women, (2) the politics of research, and (3) the feminist directives for research. Two types of women's research are discussed; research on women, their inclusion as subjects, and research for women, the data base for political and social change. The barriers to feminist research rest with the established scientific community as it opera‐tionalizes the male bias of society. Feminist directives that challenge the established scientific community are described.