Critical Realism is a philosophical approach to understanding science that combines a realist ontology with a critical epistemology, acknowledging the existence of a reality independent of human perceptions while also recognizing the role of social, cultural, and historical contexts in shaping our understanding of that reality. It seeks to bridge the gap between positivism and interpretivism, advocating for a stratified view of reality where mechanisms exist at different levels, which can be uncovered through scientific inquiry.