Doing Critical Research in Education

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.

“I commend each of the authors in this book for directly addressing what it means to conduct critical research that is trustworthy, ethical, and self-reflexive. The authors lay a foundation on the background of critical research in education and then provide a list of leading scholars in the field, research components, and example articles. If you are interested in the building blocks of critical research in education, this is the book for you. Practitioners and scholars are in for a treat. I wish I had had a book like this when I was in my PhD program.”
—Frank Hernandez, dean, TCU College of Education

“In this book, McKenzie and Skrla provide readers with a broad overview of various critical traditions and frameworks that have taken root in the field of education. These frameworks not only challenge our most fundamental assumptions about schools and schooling, but also inform our understanding of society and the mechanisms that reproduce inequities for marginalized communities. Written with rigor and pointed clarity, this book is essential reading for novice and experienced researchers alike—particularly for those who believe that the purpose of our research is not simply to understand the world, but to change it.”
—Gerardo R. López, professor, Michigan State University and editor-in-chief, Educational Administration Quarterly

"McKenzie and Skrla’s combined breadth of knowledge and experience in the field demystify critical research in education. It is rare for a text to tackle such complex topics in a straightforward manner. It is a must-have for professors working with sitting administrators, future researchers, and teacher leaders desiring to solve educational dilemmas through critical research. I look forward to seeing how this text shapes the next generation of critical educational researchers."
—Heather L. (Roth) Dunham, assistant professor, University of North Florida

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