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, and information about 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.
Kathryn Bell McKenzie is professor emerita of educational administration at Texas A&M University and professor emerita of advanced studies in education at California State University. Linda Skrla is a professor emerita of educational administration at Texas A&M University.
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
