Working with, working through: Towards equitable partnerships in health research

ABSTRACT

Feminist researchers advocate a more equitable relationship between the researcher and the researched. While qualitative researchers generally eschew hierarchical language reflected in phrases such as, "working on research subjects," in favor of phrasing that denotes partnership, as in "working with research participants," it is unclear as to whether these changes in language have been effectively translated into changes in working relationships. In this paper, I examine how feminist research and researchers illuminate the benefits of developing more equitable partnerships in health research. I suggest that although the challenges are plentiful, our efforts to work through them collectively, enables us to produce better and more meaningful health research.