This paper identifies criteria seen as essential to feminist research. In light of these criteria, issues which have arisen during our current research on women and their experiences of midlife and menopause are discussed. Issues considered include the researchers' responsibilities to participants when exploring sensitive and highly personal issues relating to participants' life experiences, and less clear cut issues such as knowledge construction, power and control. In relation to the latter the balance of power in the research-participant relationship, and the role and responsibilities of the researcher in knowledge construction, are explored. Foucault's notions of knowledge construction and power and control and the feminist researcher's position, are considered in terms of rigour in feminist research and dissemination of research reports. Issues which are seen as problematic and worthy of further debate are: the relations between interviewer and interviewee; the intellectual (the researcher) as the bearer of universal values and as truth teller; and the level of critical activism possible in research studies of this nature.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film containing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) additive has been investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and surface resistivity measurements. The samples measured were: as-received; plasma-treated; washed with ethyl acetate; aged in air; and combinations of these treatments. Analysis by XPS has been used to characterize surface species concurrently with resistivity in the surface region to assist in understanding the relationship between charge transport and surface electronic structure. Radiofrequency plasma treatment causes major oxidation effects and lowering of resistivity in the first 4 s. With the same treatment time, in the case of washed samples, surface segregation of PDMS is enhanced, causing an initial increase of surface region resistivity. Plasma treatment beyond 4 s causes saturation of the O : C ratio in the surface and a loss of charged bonds. These points also allow a description of resistivity change with ageing, which includes hydration effects on exposure to air.
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