Critical Realism is a philosophical approach that combines a realist view of the world with a critical perspective on knowledge. It asserts that there is a reality independent of our perceptions, but our understanding of that reality is always mediated by social, cultural, and historical contexts. This means that while we can strive to understand the world, our interpretations are influenced by various factors. This framework was developed by philosopher Roy Bhaskar in the 1970s and emphasizes the importance of both empirical observation and theoretical explanation. Critical Realism encourages researchers to explore underlying structures and mechanisms that shape observable phenomena, thus providing a deeper understanding of social and natural sciences.