The Necessity of a Justice and Equity Orientation

In this chapter, we explore the QuantCrit tenet of the necessity of a justice and equity orientation. We open with a discussion of the terminology around justice, social justice, and equity. We also offer examples of the differences between equality and equity in education. We then move to examples of how researchers and practitioners can adopt an equity and justice orientation in their work. Strategies that we highlight include rethinking traditional research questions, deeply engaging in reflexivity around positionality, and working toward effective programs and interventions that reduce racism and its burdens. In each area, we offer concrete examples of moves that can shift research and the use of quantitative data toward racial equity.