I'm 2 months away from submitting my PhD thesis and my research used the critical realist paradigm. I think I spent the first year of my doctoral program trying to wrap my head around the CR paradigm and how to actually 'do' critical realist research. Some useful books for anyone thinking of using CR would be Bhaskar's Enlightened Commonsense (walks you through the distinct waves of CR philosophy in simpler terms than his other work), and Pricilla Alderson's Critical Realism for Health and Illness Research (it's a great overview of developing a CR methodology for social research). My research looks at using ICTs to empower women in rural Indian development interventions - but a bulk of the research was actually drilling down to the ontologically 'real' causes of empowerment in development. Now that I'm at the end, I think CR has not only influenced my research in the best way possible, but totally changed the way I think about the social world in my work across the social change space. If anyone is drawn to the paradigm, it's confusing at first, but gives such deeper insights - I recommend using it if you can!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the critical realist paradigm! It’s incredible to hear how CR has not only shaped your research but also transformed your perspective on social change. The resources you mentioned, like Bhaskar’s Enlightened Common Sense and Alderson’s work, are invaluable-I’m sure many others in the community will benefit from them. Your insights into the challenges and rewards of using CR are deeply appreciated, and I’m thrilled that the paradigm has had such a positive impact on your research. Wishing you all the best as you finalise your PhD!
Could one argue that CR is neither a critique of power nor Social Justice positionality, despite its focus on social systems and use of the word critical? You have a very nice way of explaining these topics, thanks for making them.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you’re finding the videos helpful. You’re right-critical realism (CR) is often misunderstood because of the word "critical" in its name. CR isn’t inherently about critiquing power or taking a social justice stance; rather, it’s a philosophy of science that focuses on understanding the structures and mechanisms that generate observable events in the social world. While CR can be applied in ways that critique social systems, it doesn’t necessarily align with any particular political or social justice agenda. Its main aim is to provide a deeper understanding of the complexities within social systems. I hope this helps clarify things a bit!
Lol again, thank you so much. I doubt I would have passed my assignment if I had not watched this video. Thank you so much 😊I was a few steps away from deregistering the module 😂
Hi Dr. Elizabeth, came across this video after trying to read an article on four epistemological frameworks, and I left, as you said, even more confused about the complexities of each one. From what I COULD make out, I believe that critical realism is what will closely align with my PhD mixed-methods thesis. I will be looking at the prevalence and incidence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders in post-secondary musicians through quantitative analysis. This will be followed with a qualitative analysis investigating students' perspective on their academic load and requirements and its effect on their health. Musculoskeletal injuries are increasingly common in musicians, alarmingly so in post-secondary students. I believe that a critical realist approach will allow me to uncover the underlying structures in higher education that influence students' diminishing health. My background has been in music performance and I've only recently delved into the world of qualitative analysis. Needless to say, it is a big learning curve and like walking on ice navigating around the different epistemological frameworks and ideologies. I look forward to watching the playlist you recommended to help!
What a fascinating and important topic you’re exploring! Sounds like critical realism could be a valuable approach too! Let me know if you have any questions 🤓
Thank you so much! I'm delighted to hear that the videos are helping you stay focused on your PhD proposal. Best of luck with your writing, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need any more guidance or support. Keep up the great work!
I honestly want to thank you for breaking this down in such a layman's language. I am doing my Master's of Social Work & I think your channel will be my go-to place when I need a better understanding.
Another great video, thank you so much! The example using poverty really helped me to have that light bulb moment and grasp what critical realism is all about.
The more I’ve read around this, and reviewed it around my conceptual model (Demerouti & Bakker’s Jobs Demands Resources) I am finding a fit with my mixed methods study into burnout in medical imaging professionals working shifts and nights in the UK. Thankyou for your personal angle on this, really helpful.
Hi Dr. Elizabeth, thank you for this super helpful video! I am working on my Masters Dissertation for my MSc in Psychology of Mental Health and am wanting to adopt a critical realist approach. I am looking at how adolescents perceive their strengths and weaknesses via secondary data analysis. More specifically, I am looking at how adolescents with self-reported high/low self esteem and positive/negative affect differ in their perceptions of personal strengths/weaknesses. I'm super passionate about elevating the voices of adolescents in their own mental health and life journeys and I am very excited to deep dive into the data. I'm planning to adopt a critical realist stance and utilize reflexive TA for my qualitative analysis. I've just heard about ontology and epistemology for the first time, and feel I'm a bit adrift trying to figure out how to actually utilize these concepts to guide my research, and I'm especially confused because of the secondary data analysis aspect of my project. My background is in creative writing and sociology, so this conversion program has really been challenging me in terms of academic writing within a positivist paradigm, but I have been finding more of a home in qualitative research. I think critical realism is a great way to combine my present education with my prior training. Do you have any advice on how paradigms may differ in their approach to secondary data analysis? Thanks in advance!
Thank you for your kind words about the video. Your dissertation sounds amazing, what an important topic! Adopting a critical realist approach and using reflexive thematic analysis (TA) are excellent choices for your research. Ontology in critical realism acknowledges that real structures and mechanisms exist independently of our perceptions. While adolescents' perceptions of their strengths and weaknesses are subjective, underlying social and psychological factors influence these perceptions. Epistemologically, critical realism recognises that our knowledge of these structures is fallible and shaped by our experiences, aligning with your aim to elevate adolescents' voices. With secondary data, critical realism allows you to interpret the data by considering the broader context in which it was generated. This means analysing how adolescents’ responses might be influenced by their social environment, cultural norms, and personal experiences. It helps you look beyond surface-level data to understand deeper social and psychological mechanisms at play. Reflexive TA suits critical realism well as it emphasises the researcher's role and influence in the analysis process. Reflecting on your interpretations and how your background shapes your understanding is crucial. Identify themes in adolescents' perceptions and consider how societal expectations or psychological factors might influence these themes. Combining critical realism with reflexive TA allows you to honor the complexity of adolescents' experiences while uncovering deeper understandings. Different paradigms approach secondary data analysis uniquely. While positivism might focus on statistical relationships, critical realism delves into understanding underlying causes and contextual factors. Interpretivism, on the other hand, emphasises understanding the subjective meanings and individual lived experiences. I hope you find that helpful!
Hello Dr Yardley, I have watched you on crime documentaries on different you tube channels. Currently I am pursuing DBA from a UK University, I am researching CSR of Indian pharmaceutical companies through the Stakeholder perspective, and I have decided to adopt the critical realism approach to my study.
I want to thank you for this video, like you said in the introduction, the jargons and terminologies are difficult to understand and as we go deeper, tougher it gets, but this video was very helpful
Hello Dr. Yardley, I am an undergraduate political science student working on a dissertation thesis on defense preparedness of India against Chinese military modernization. Should I be using the critical realist approach to understand the same ?
Hi! Thanks for reaching out. A critical realist approach could be very useful for your research, as it allows you to explore the underlying structures and mechanisms driving military modernisation and defense strategies. It helps in understanding not just the observable events but also the deeper, often hidden, factors at play. However, it’s also essential to consider whether this approach aligns with your research questions and objectives. If you're looking to uncover these deeper layers, critical realism could be a strong fit. Certainly have a detailed chat with your supervisor about all this! Good luck with your dissertation!
Hello dr. Elizabeth! I'm proposing different Phd projects, I hope to get a Phd scholarship in History of economic thought or alternitively in Philosophy of economics. I am trying to develop a strong and coherent epistemological and ontological background to elaborate a solid project: I am deeply interested in dialectical materialism, but I feel that I should incorporate more recent progresses in ontology: critical realism could be a wonderful bridge. I read something of Roy Bhaskar in regard: do you know any other author (or perspective) I should considerate and maybe incorporate on this point of view? Thanks for your attention and this wonderful video!
Hi! Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your exciting PhD project ideas. It's great that you're exploring the intersection of dialectical materialism and critical realism-these perspectives can indeed complement each other beautifully. Besides Roy Bhaskar, I’d recommend looking into the works of Margaret Archer and Andrew Sayer, who have significantly contributed to critical realist social theory. You might also explore Tony Lawson’s work on the philosophy of economics, which could offer valuable insights for your project. Best of luck with your proposals-I’m sure you’ll build a strong foundation!
Sure! I’ll pop some book recommendations in the comments but also be sure to check out the journal article I go through in the video - that’s a great illustration of applied critical realism.
thank you very much. I discovered your channel couple of weeks ago through 'ontology vs epistemology. Talking about critical realism - is it fair to say that critical realism uncovers underlying structures but not critiquing the system? Do you have any video on critical theory?
Thank you so much for your question and welcome to the channel! To address your question: yes, it's fair to say that critical realism focuses on uncovering underlying structures without necessarily critiquing the system itself. Critical realism aims to reveal the hidden mechanisms that shape observable phenomena. Currently, I don't have any videos on critical theory, but I've added it to my list for future content. Watch this space!
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I'm 2 months away from submitting my PhD thesis and my research used the critical realist paradigm. I think I spent the first year of my doctoral program trying to wrap my head around the CR paradigm and how to actually 'do' critical realist research. Some useful books for anyone thinking of using CR would be Bhaskar's Enlightened Commonsense (walks you through the distinct waves of CR philosophy in simpler terms than his other work), and Pricilla Alderson's Critical Realism for Health and Illness Research (it's a great overview of developing a CR methodology for social research).
My research looks at using ICTs to empower women in rural Indian development interventions - but a bulk of the research was actually drilling down to the ontologically 'real' causes of empowerment in development. Now that I'm at the end, I think CR has not only influenced my research in the best way possible, but totally changed the way I think about the social world in my work across the social change space. If anyone is drawn to the paradigm, it's confusing at first, but gives such deeper insights - I recommend using it if you can!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the critical realist paradigm! It’s incredible to hear how CR has not only shaped your research but also transformed your perspective on social change. The resources you mentioned, like Bhaskar’s Enlightened Common Sense and Alderson’s work, are invaluable-I’m sure many others in the community will benefit from them. Your insights into the challenges and rewards of using CR are deeply appreciated, and I’m thrilled that the paradigm has had such a positive impact on your research. Wishing you all the best as you finalise your PhD!
Could one argue that CR is neither a critique of power nor Social Justice positionality, despite its focus on social systems and use of the word critical?
You have a very nice way of explaining these topics, thanks for making them.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you’re finding the videos helpful.
You’re right-critical realism (CR) is often misunderstood because of the word "critical" in its name.
CR isn’t inherently about critiquing power or taking a social justice stance; rather, it’s a philosophy of science that focuses on understanding the structures and mechanisms that generate observable events in the social world.
While CR can be applied in ways that critique social systems, it doesn’t necessarily align with any particular political or social justice agenda.
Its main aim is to provide a deeper understanding of the complexities within social systems.
I hope this helps clarify things a bit!
An absolutely lifesaver--thank you!! :)
Aww, you’re most welcome! 🤓☺️
WOW!! Gobsmacked. You're really good. Thank you so much.
Glad you liked it! Thanks so much for commenting!
Lol again, thank you so much. I doubt I would have passed my assignment if I had not watched this video. Thank you so much 😊I was a few steps away from deregistering the module 😂
I'm thinking about using critical realistic analysis in my masters dissertation. Your explanation is very helpful. Thank you
Glad it was helpful! You're very welcome!
Hi Dr. Elizabeth, came across this video after trying to read an article on four epistemological frameworks, and I left, as you said, even more confused about the complexities of each one. From what I COULD make out, I believe that critical realism is what will closely align with my PhD mixed-methods thesis. I will be looking at the prevalence and incidence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders in post-secondary musicians through quantitative analysis. This will be followed with a qualitative analysis investigating students' perspective on their academic load and requirements and its effect on their health. Musculoskeletal injuries are increasingly common in musicians, alarmingly so in post-secondary students. I believe that a critical realist approach will allow me to uncover the underlying structures in higher education that influence students' diminishing health.
My background has been in music performance and I've only recently delved into the world of qualitative analysis. Needless to say, it is a big learning curve and like walking on ice navigating around the different epistemological frameworks and ideologies. I look forward to watching the playlist you recommended to help!
What a fascinating and important topic you’re exploring! Sounds like critical realism could be a valuable approach too! Let me know if you have any questions 🤓
Love these vidoes, currently writing my PhD proposal and keep coming back to them to keep me on track and focus!
Thank you so much! I'm delighted to hear that the videos are helping you stay focused on your PhD proposal. Best of luck with your writing, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need any more guidance or support. Keep up the great work!
I honestly want to thank you for breaking this down in such a layman's language. I am doing my Master's of Social Work & I think your channel will be my go-to place when I need a better understanding.
You're so welcome! I'm really pleased you found this helpful. Welcome to my channel!
Another great video, thank you so much! The example using poverty really helped me to have that light bulb moment and grasp what critical realism is all about.
Wonderful! That's so lovely to read :-)
I will keep the examples coming in future videos, I think they can be so helpful for those lightbulb moments!
The more I’ve read around this, and reviewed it around my conceptual model (Demerouti & Bakker’s Jobs Demands Resources) I am finding a fit with my mixed methods study into burnout in medical imaging professionals working shifts and nights in the UK. Thankyou for your personal angle on this, really helpful.
Wow, what a fascinating area of research, how exciting! I'm so pleased you found my video helpful. All the very best with your study :-)
Hi Dr. Elizabeth, thank you for this super helpful video! I am working on my Masters Dissertation for my MSc in Psychology of Mental Health and am wanting to adopt a critical realist approach. I am looking at how adolescents perceive their strengths and weaknesses via secondary data analysis. More specifically, I am looking at how adolescents with self-reported high/low self esteem and positive/negative affect differ in their perceptions of personal strengths/weaknesses. I'm super passionate about elevating the voices of adolescents in their own mental health and life journeys and I am very excited to deep dive into the data. I'm planning to adopt a critical realist stance and utilize reflexive TA for my qualitative analysis. I've just heard about ontology and epistemology for the first time, and feel I'm a bit adrift trying to figure out how to actually utilize these concepts to guide my research, and I'm especially confused because of the secondary data analysis aspect of my project.
My background is in creative writing and sociology, so this conversion program has really been challenging me in terms of academic writing within a positivist paradigm, but I have been finding more of a home in qualitative research. I think critical realism is a great way to combine my present education with my prior training. Do you have any advice on how paradigms may differ in their approach to secondary data analysis?
Thanks in advance!
Thank you for your kind words about the video. Your dissertation sounds amazing, what an important topic! Adopting a critical realist approach and using reflexive thematic analysis (TA) are excellent choices for your research.
Ontology in critical realism acknowledges that real structures and mechanisms exist independently of our perceptions. While adolescents' perceptions of their strengths and weaknesses are subjective, underlying social and psychological factors influence these perceptions. Epistemologically, critical realism recognises that our knowledge of these structures is fallible and shaped by our experiences, aligning with your aim to elevate adolescents' voices.
With secondary data, critical realism allows you to interpret the data by considering the broader context in which it was generated. This means analysing how adolescents’ responses might be influenced by their social environment, cultural norms, and personal experiences. It helps you look beyond surface-level data to understand deeper social and psychological mechanisms at play.
Reflexive TA suits critical realism well as it emphasises the researcher's role and influence in the analysis process. Reflecting on your interpretations and how your background shapes your understanding is crucial. Identify themes in adolescents' perceptions and consider how societal expectations or psychological factors might influence these themes.
Combining critical realism with reflexive TA allows you to honor the complexity of adolescents' experiences while uncovering deeper understandings.
Different paradigms approach secondary data analysis uniquely. While positivism might focus on statistical relationships, critical realism delves into understanding underlying causes and contextual factors. Interpretivism, on the other hand, emphasises understanding the subjective meanings and individual lived experiences.
I hope you find that helpful!
@@DegreeDoctor This is so amazingly helpful! Thank you so much.
@@AjFreibott3096 You're very welcome! 🙂
Hello Dr Yardley, I have watched you on crime documentaries on different you tube channels. Currently I am pursuing DBA from a UK University, I am researching CSR of Indian pharmaceutical companies through the Stakeholder perspective, and I have decided to adopt the critical realism approach to my study.
I want to thank you for this video, like you said in the introduction, the jargons and terminologies are difficult to understand and as we go deeper, tougher it gets, but this video was very helpful
What an interesting research study! I think critical realism will enable you to generate so many fascinating insights here.
You're very welcome, I'm so glad you found the video helpful :-)
Hello Dr. Yardley, I am an undergraduate political science student working on a dissertation thesis on defense preparedness of India against Chinese military modernization. Should I be using the critical realist approach to understand the same ?
Hi! Thanks for reaching out.
A critical realist approach could be very useful for your research, as it allows you to explore the underlying structures and mechanisms driving military modernisation and defense strategies. It helps in understanding not just the observable events but also the deeper, often hidden, factors at play.
However, it’s also essential to consider whether this approach aligns with your research questions and objectives.
If you're looking to uncover these deeper layers, critical realism could be a strong fit. Certainly have a detailed chat with your supervisor about all this!
Good luck with your dissertation!
Hello dr. Elizabeth! I'm proposing different Phd projects, I hope to get a Phd scholarship in History of economic thought or alternitively in Philosophy of economics. I am trying to develop a strong and coherent epistemological and ontological background to elaborate a solid project: I am deeply interested in dialectical materialism, but I feel that I should incorporate more recent progresses in ontology: critical realism could be a wonderful bridge. I read something of Roy Bhaskar in regard: do you know any other author (or perspective) I should considerate and maybe incorporate on this point of view? Thanks for your attention and this wonderful video!
Hi! Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your exciting PhD project ideas. It's great that you're exploring the intersection of dialectical materialism and critical realism-these perspectives can indeed complement each other beautifully. Besides Roy Bhaskar, I’d recommend looking into the works of Margaret Archer and Andrew Sayer, who have significantly contributed to critical realist social theory. You might also explore Tony Lawson’s work on the philosophy of economics, which could offer valuable insights for your project. Best of luck with your proposals-I’m sure you’ll build a strong foundation!
@@DegreeDoctor Thank you so much for your advises and your support! I will read with pleasure these authors
Hey it been a long time dr elezabeth it could be wonderful if you suggest book on the topics you treat
Sure! I’ll pop some book recommendations in the comments but also be sure to check out the journal article I go through in the video - that’s a great illustration of applied critical realism.
thank you very much. I discovered your channel couple of weeks ago through 'ontology vs epistemology.
Talking about critical realism - is it fair to say that critical realism uncovers underlying structures but not critiquing the system? Do you have any video on critical theory?
Thank you so much for your question and welcome to the channel! To address your question: yes, it's fair to say that critical realism focuses on uncovering underlying structures without necessarily critiquing the system itself. Critical realism aims to reveal the hidden mechanisms that shape observable phenomena.
Currently, I don't have any videos on critical theory, but I've added it to my list for future content. Watch this space!