On the Reconceptualizing of Gender: Implications for Research Design

Abstract

This article takes up the concept of gender as a specific case in point of spontaneous sociology. The contributory aim is to set forth a multidimensional framework for addressing gender in research. 1 I summarize key developments in gender theory, tease out their implications for research design, and outline four interlocking strategies for how the conventional "gender = male/female" variable might be reconfigured. The first strategy involves shifting from a biological foundationalist paradigm of gender to a social constructionist one, and is the precondition upon which the other strategies are based. Second, research designs must address gender as multilayered and multivariable, not as a single, simple attribute. Third, more attention needs to be given to gender as active and as an outcome of social forces. Fourth is the suggestion to reconfigure the standard gender variable to one reflecting a continuum of positions. A possible terminological reconfiguration of the standard variable is suggested.

The effects of gender on group work process and achievement: an analysis through self‐ and peer‐assessment

“…However, categorising gender as a polarised, dichotomous variable in research poses a danger of oversimplification, missing nuanced detail (Knaak, 2004;Young, 1994).…”

Varieties of Transgender/Transsexual Lives and Their Relationship with Transphobia

“…One study, as an example, considered whether those who identified as female (vs. identifying as transgender, transsexual) were more or less likely to be HIV positive (that hypothesis was not supported; Reback, Lombardi, Simon, & Frye, 2005). Rather than using transgender or other labels it is important to examine the diversity found among gender variant people, and the variety of experiences with discrimination (Knaak, 2004;Lombardi, 2001).…”

“…Feminist theorists have also worked to focus on gender rather than sex as gender was conceptualized as being socially constructed, whereas, sex refers to biology (Ferree, Lorber, & Hess, 1999;Howard, Risman, Romero, & Sprague, 1999). However, gender is still used by many researchers as a synonym for sex and conceptualized as a single dichotomous variable that conflates biology with social and psychological factors (Knaak, 2004;Laner, 2000). The use of sex and gender interchangeably has contributed to the confusion of how gender variant people are seen by others.…”

Relating realist metatheory to issues of gender and mental health

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