The feminist method of social research distinguishes itself by fundamentally challenging traditional, often patriarchal, research paradigms. Its core distinctiveness lies in its commitment to addressing gender inequality, empowering marginalized voices, and transforming social structures. Unlike conventional approaches that often claim objectivity and neutrality, feminist research explicitly acknowledges the researcher's positionality and the subjective experiences of participants, particularly women.

Key characteristics include:

1. Challenging Positivism and Objectivity: Feminist methodology critiques the idea of value-free research, arguing that all research is inherently political and shaped by power relations. It emphasizes reflexivity, where researchers critically examine their own biases and how they might influence the research process.
2. Centering Women's Experiences: It prioritizes the lived experiences, perspectives, and voices of women, often using qualitative methods like in-depth interviews, oral histories, and ethnography to capture the nuances of their realities. This contrasts with traditional research that might generalize from male experiences or overlook gender-specific issues.
3. Empowerment and Advocacy: Feminist research is often action-oriented, aiming not just to understand but also to bring about social change. It seeks to empower participants, challenge oppressive structures, and contribute to social justice.
4. Intersectionality: Recognizing that gender intersects with other categories of identity such as race, class, sexuality, and disability, feminist research adopts an intersectional lens. This ensures that the diverse experiences of women (and men) are understood within their complex social contexts, avoiding a monolithic view of 'women's experience'.
5. Ethical Considerations: It places a strong emphasis on ethical research practices, ensuring respect, consent, and protection for participants, particularly those who are vulnerable or marginalized.

In essence, the feminist method is not just a set of techniques but a political and epistemological stance that seeks to create knowledge that is inclusive, emancipatory, and transformative, thereby offering a powerful critique and alternative to mainstream social research.