Critical Realism Study Group

CRSG offers an opportunity to explore key concepts, discuss relevant readings and reflect together on how critical realism can inform research design, methodology and theoretical framing, including in the context of dissertations and theses. 

We hold regular meetings during semesters 1 and 2, providing a space for peer-led discussion, questions and idea-sharing across disciplines. Details of upcoming sessions will be shared in advance via this webpage and through relevant channels.

This is a curated list of sources to help you begin and deepen your engagement with critical realism, including how to think with it and apply it in research projects. We’ve aimed for a kaleidoscopic selection, with an emphasis on practical uses, such as analytical and conceptual frameworks. The list is not exhaustive and will be updated regularly.

Download the list of resources

Resources

Applying a conceptual framework

CR and CCPEE (Critical cultural political economy of education) 

Lopes Cardozo, M. T. A., & Shah, R. (2016). A conceptual framework to analyse the multiscalar politics of education for sustainable peacebuilding. Comparative Education, 52(4), 516–537. 

CR and feminist approaches (note the large section on ethics and reflexivity, coherent with a feminist framework)

Parr, S. (2015). Integrating critical realist and feminist methodologies: Ethical and analytical dilemmas. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 18(2), 193–207. 

CR and methodologies

CR case studies

Easton, G. (2010). Critical realism in case study research. Industrial Marketing Management, 39(1), 118–128. 

CR and the analysis of structure and agency

Stutchbury, K. (2022). Critical realism: An explanatory framework for small-scale qualitative studies or an ‘unhelpful edifice’? International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 45(2), 113–128. 

Applying data analysis methods

CR Interviews

Brönnimann, A. (2022). How to phrase critical realist interview questions in applied social science research. Journal of Critical Realism, 21(1), 1–24. 

CR and grounded theory

Hoddy, E. T. (2018). Critical realism in empirical research: employing techniques from grounded theory methodology. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 22(1), 111–124. 

CR and (deductive) data coding

Fletcher, A. J. (2017). Applying critical realism in qualitative research: Methodology meets method. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 20(2), 181–194. 

CR and CDA

Couch, D. (2022). Critical realism and education policy analysis in conflicts and crises: Towards conceptual methodologies. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 52(6), 998–1014. 

Huang, P., & Pu, S. (2024). Towards an explanatory critique of social reality: how critical realism can frame the application of critical discourse analysis in educational research. Cambridge Journal of Education, 54(2), 183–198. 

Thematic Analysis

Fryer, T. (2022). A critical realist approach to thematic analysis: producing causal explanations. Journal of Critical Realism, 21(4), 365–384. 

Institutes and Centres (for additional resources)

Critical Realism Network

International Association for Critical Realism

The Centre for Social Ontology

Cambridge Social Ontology

University of Aberdeen’s NIHR project: CR Terminology 

The videos below serve as introductory sessions on critical realist thought, theory and methodological practice. 

Coming soon!