This paper introduces Margaret Archer’s Morphogenetic Approach (hereafter, MA) as an
alternative to resolve the dichotomous conflicts between positivism and constructivism,
objectivism and subjectivism and structure and agency. This research starts with discussing the
limitations of positivism and constructivism, two major theoretical paradigms in the educational
studies. Then, we examine ‘critical realism’ and ‘analytical dualism’ underpinning MA, which
has potential to address the binary thinking mentioned above. We argue that critical realism, an
ontological framework on which MA is based, can contribute to educational studies education
by casting new perspectives and research questions due to its focus on processes and causal
mechanisms underlying educational phenomena. Furthermore, analytical dualism, analytical
separation of structure from agency devised by Archer, overcomes the limitations of central
conflationists such as Giddens and Bourdieu. This paper then suggests Archer’s notion
of‘reflexivity’, playing a mediating role between agency and structure, and empirical studies
utilizing the concept. Lastly, implications of MA for educational studies and future studies are
proposed.