q-sputnik

The undergraduate studies programe for subjects of gender and equality ‘Gender in Social Sciences’, Sociology Department, University of Crete is having a very interesting workshop. To contact

either call (0030)2831 077485 Fax: 2831 077467 E-mail: gender@social.soc.uoc.gr

URL: http://www.soc.uoc.gr/gender

Here is the announcement:

‘WORKSHOP
Methods of Studying Gender and Political Participation
May 30-31, 2008
University of Crete -Rethymno
The traditional research of the Feminist Movement in general, and Gender and Politics in particular, has used the qualitative method with its many ramifications and techniques. This approach is gradually been abandoned for a two-prong method - qualitative and quantitative - using them, either separately or in conjunction with each other. In so doing, the disadvantages of both methods are eliminated. For example, in examining the political participation of women quantitatively we can measure the objective political opportunities and resources, and qualitatively we can demonstrate subjective perceptions and rationales for strategies. Here at the University of Crete we respect all types of empirical methods and techniques and through our proposed workshop, we will attempt to probe into gender and political participation through the use of all of them.
With this aim in mind, the program “Gender in Social Sciences” of the University of Crete, will organize a two-day workshop in May 30-31 2008, on “Methods of Studying Gender and Political Participation”. We are intentionally making this topic broad, for we are interested in comparing different methods (e.g., life histories, focus groups, documents, case studies, interviews, surveys, etc.) along with their concomitant results, not comparing results alone. Therefore, the purpose of this workshop is to compare the strengths and weaknesses of different methods. Ultimately, our “grand” aim is to contribute a bit toward the development of empirical theory emanating from multi-methodological research.’