History of methodologies for the analysis of resistance strategies and counter-narratives against the ‘manosphere’. A commitment to Action-Research

Abstract

This article analyses, from a feminist and critical perspective, the main methodologies used in studying the manosphere and the resistances that have emerged against it. Approaches such as Critical Discourse Analysis, Digital Ethnography and Feminist Netnography, Social Network Analysis (SNA), Data Mining, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) are examined, assessing their advantages and limitations in researching hate speech and counter-strategies. Additionally, action research is proposed as the most suitable methodological model to evaluate the effectiveness of feminist counter-narratives. It allows for the integration of theoretical analysis and concrete action, collaborating directly with activists and feminist communities in designing resistance strategies. The conclusions highlight the importance of adopting methodological approaches that not only describe the expansion of the manosphere but also contribute to strengthening feminist resistance. The need to integrate participatory methodologies that acknowledge situated knowledge and avoid reproducing power hierarchies in research is emphasised. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to develop interdisciplinary tools that enable understanding and countering digital misogyny from a critical and transformative perspective.