Taking a feminist approach to information systems research and using the “thinking tools” provided by the sociologist Pierre Bourdieu

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute a personal account of doing critical research that uses the social theory of Pierre Bourdieu and also that takes a feminist approach to research. It aims to reflect on what this might mean in order to understand information systems and their uses at work and in everyday life.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is confessional and describes the way in which critical qualitative research was undertaken in specific areas – that of call centres in Northwest England, gender and the UK ICT labour market and PhD research into issues of gender and home e‐shopping.

Findings

The findings as such suggest that social theory and critical approaches to research can contribute to understanding of IS at work and in everyday life. The account discusses the complexity of applying social theories and how difficult theoretical tomes are to understand, especially for the novice researcher.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the importance of hearing the silent or silenced voices and letting stories be told. A theme throughout is how theory is linked to practice.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the special issue call for reflexive essays written in simple terms with details about how and why particular social theories or approaches were adopted. This will be of value to PhD and IS researchers whose work is informed by social theory.

Citation

Richardson, H. (2009), "Taking a feminist approach to information systems research and using the “thinking tools” provided by the sociologist Pierre Bourdieu", Information Technology & People, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 26-35. https://doi.org/10.1108/09593840910937472