What is QuantCrit and What is it doing in a Nice Field Like Social Work?
A Framework for Social Work Research
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18060/28803Keywords:
social work research, QuantCrit, critical race theory, quantitative research, statisticsAbstract
This paper presents a framework for integrating QuantCrit into social work research. Quantitative research has long been critiqued for its role in reinforcing racial inequities, yet its historical foundations remain largely unquestioned in social work scholarship. This paper provides an overview of QuantCrit as a framework to examine the limitations of traditional quantitative methods and advocate for a reimagined approach that aligns with social work’s commitment to equity and justice. We argue that without a critical framework, quantitative research risks perpetuating racial disparities by masking structural inequities, reinforcing deficit-based narratives, and legitimizing decisions that sustain oppression. Drawing on QuantCrit’s core tenets, we explore alternative methodologies that challenge positivist assumptions, prioritize community-driven knowledge, and contextualize data within broader systems of power. We discuss implications of QuantCrit for social work research, education, and practice, emphasizing the need for scholars to engage with quantitative methods that expose, rather than obscure, racial injustice. By integrating QuantCrit into social work, we can actively interrogate and challenge the systemic factors that produce social injustice.
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