From 'wickedity' to tameness? Reflections on the application of critical realism to researching higher education

Abstract

This presentation and short paper is jointly authored and draws on the reflections and experiences of two researchers in South African and English higher education contexts in which they teach. Responding to Trowler’s (2009: 1) Think Piece, the authors examine their ‘application of theory to close up research’, explicating their experiences of undertaking research influenced and guided by the ontological meta-theory of critical realism, both to steer methodology and illuminate analysis during their doctoral research.