ABSTRACT
This chapter sets out the foundations of critical theory and critical educational research. It locates this approach within the Frankfurt School and indicates how ideology critique is an important research method in this approach. It indicates how researchers can work with ideology critique in conducting their research. From here it identifies how critical theory underpins participatory action research and critical action research, feminist research, post-colonial theory and queer theory. The chapter raises several key challenges for critical approaches to educational research, including the central question of value-neutrality in research. The chapter also draws together the preceding chapters into a summary of three major paradigms introduced in the book: positivist, interpretive and critical theorist.
