A Feminist Perspective on Conducting Personally Relevant Research: Working Mothers Studying Pregnancy and Motherhood at Work

Abstract

While often focused on theory building and intellectual credibility, management scholars have rich, complex lives outside of academia. Their non-work lives may inform the phenomenon they choose to study, the research questions they ask, and even how they engage with the field. We suggest management scholars may benefit from becoming more transparent about the connections between their lives and their research, and about how these connections inform the research process. Drawing on feminist methodology, we reflect back on our experience as working mothers researching pregnancy and motherhood at work. In so doing we uncover four complexities that arise when conducting research that connects to one’s personal experience. We label these complexities: 1) engaging personal and professional selves; 2) managing power dynamics; 3) integrating emotional and rational understanding; and 4) advancing theory and practice. In examining our research process from the perspective of feminist methodology, we also identify tactics researchers can engage to navigate these complexities. We conclude with a discussion of how editors, reviewers, and authors can enhance the rigor and legitimacy of personally relevant research.