ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how to apply the QuantCrit principle, “centrality of racism,” in quantitative educational research. Highlighting racism's centrality in Western societies, this chapter asserts that racism, rather than being an occasional or removable aspect, is deeply embedded and pervasive, influencing societal structures, practices, and even jurisprudence, as illustrated by its impact on United States education from public schools to higher education institutions. The first proposed QuantCrit application is shifting from white-centric analyses. We do not suggest that a racial comparison can never be appropriate under any circumstances, but that they must be used carefully and reflexively, with researchers interrogating what the comparison might accomplish and whether it is appropriate. This chapter also underscores the necessity of beginning your data inquiry with the premise that our institutions are designed to sustain racial disparities and that racism plays a key role in shaping outcomes; therefore, urging us to collect new data to measure racism quantitatively and/or develop new measures. These innovative approaches aim to both challenge existing norms and unearth the complexities of racism to pave the way for more equitable analysis and measures in order to use them to advocate for more targeted resources to ameliorate and reduce the effects of racism.
