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