This introductory text provides a clear, readable description of critical theory research and how to use it in educational settings. Critical theory has evolved since the early days of the Frankfurt School. It no longer addresses only issues of capitalism, culture, class, and ideology, but also challenges issues of race, sexual orientation, gender, ability, ethnicity, and more. In the zeitgeist of today, these issues are on the debate stage. This timely guide is divided into three main sections: Background of Critical Research in Education, Intersectional and Identity-Based Critical Research in Education, and Additional Types of Critical Research in Education. For each critical approach, the authors provide background, important terminology and concepts, notable researchers and theories, as well as how to design and conduct a study using examples of published articles. Doing Critical Research in Education is a must-have for anyone who wants to engage in critical research to assist them in understanding and addressing some of the most pressing issues in education today, as well as all areas in which there is oppression or marginalization of students and their communities.
Book Features:
- Offers a thorough yet accessible overview on how to employ critical theory in research.
- Provides a rich explanation of difficult foundational knowledge with examples of how to apply the concepts in education settings.
- Includes a user-friendly format appropriate for students, professors, researchers, and practitioners.
Table of Contents:
Contents
Preface vii
Acknowledgments x
Part I: Background of Critical Research in Education
1. Isn't Research Just Research? An Overview of Systems of Human Inquiry 3
Terminology 4
Brief History of Social Science, Positivism, and Interpretivism 9
Critical Theory 11
Critical Theory and Education 14
2. Research Considerations in Critical Research in Education 17
Assuring Quality 17
Ethical Considerations 19
Reflexivity and Positionality 21
Theoretical Framework 23
Conclusion 26
3. Traditional Critical Theory in Education 27
Background of Critical Theory in Education 27
Notable Critical Theorists and Their Concepts 28
Research Components of Example Article 34
Conclusion 39
Part II: Intersectional and Identity-Based Critical Research in Education
4. Critical Race Theory 43
The Emergence of Critical Race Theory 43
Notable Critical Race Theorists and Their Concepts 46
Defining Elements of Critical Race Theory 54
Conclusion 55
5. Critical Race Theory in Education 56
Ladson-Billings and Tate: "Toward a Critical Race Theory of Education" 56
Notable Critical Race Theorists in Education and Their Concepts 61
Research Components of Example Article 67
Conclusion 71
6. Critical Feminist Research in Education 72
Background of Critical Feminist Research 72
Notable Critical Feminist Theorists and Researchers 75
Research Components of Example Article 78
Conclusion 80
7. LGBTQ Studies and Queer Theory in Education 81
Terminology 81
Brief History of the Gay Rights Movement 82
LGBTQ Studies, Queer Theory, and Queer Studies 84
Notable LGBTQ and Queer Theorists and Researchers 86
Research Components of Example Study 87
Conclusion 91
8. Indigenous/Tribal Critical Research in Education 92
Background of Indigenous/Tribal Research 93
Terminology 95
Notable Indigenous/Tribal Theorists and Researchers 96
Research Components of Example Article 97
Conclusion 100
9. Latinx Critical Research in Education 101
Background of Latinx Research 102
Notable Latinx Theorists and Researchers 103
Research Components of Example Article 105
Conclusion 109
10. Critical Disability Studies in Education 110
Background of Critical Disability Studies 111
Terminology 112
Notable Critical Disabilities Studies Theorists and Researchers 114
Research Components of Example Article 116
Conclusion 119
Part III: Additional Types of Critical Research in Education
11. Critical Policy Studies in Education 123
Background of Critical Policy Studies 123
Notable Critical Policy Theorists and Researchers 125
Research Components of Example Article 127
Conclusion 132
12. Critical Quantitative Studies in Education 133
Background of Critical Quantitative Studies in Education 133
Notable Theorists and Researchers in Critical Quantitative Studies 136
Research Components of Example Article 137
Conclusion 143
13. Critical Social Epidemiological Studies in Education 144
What Is the Difference Between Epidemiology and Social Epidemiology? 144
What Is Critical About Social Epidemiology? 146
Research Components of Example Article 146
Conclusion 151
14. The Future of Critical Research in Education 152
Turbulent State Policy Environments 152
Effects of the Pandemic 153
Use of Big Data 155
Conclusion 157
Endnotes 159
References 160
Index 172
About the Authors 182
