The book *A Realist Approach for Qualitative Research* by Joseph A. Maxwell is reviewed by Jérémie Bouchard, a PhD candidate in applied linguistics. The review highlights the book's importance for those interested in a balanced theoretical perspective between qualitative and quantitative research. Maxwell's approach, rooted in critical realism, emphasizes the complexity of social processes and the need to combine observable reality with broader social contexts. The review discusses how this approach can be applied to the study of language use and ideological discourse in Japan, particularly in the context of EFL education. Maxwell's realist perspective, which distinguishes between ontology and epistemology, offers a more nuanced understanding of social reality and challenges the limitations of both qualitative and quantitative research traditions. The review also mentions Belz’s research on German-American telecollaboration as an example of a realist approach in applied linguistics, emphasizing the importance of a multi-directional relationship between context and agency. Overall, the book is praised for its insights into the nature of social reality and its relevance for applied linguistics research.The book *A Realist Approach for Qualitative Research* by Joseph A. Maxwell is reviewed by Jérémie Bouchard, a PhD candidate in applied linguistics. The review highlights the book's importance for those interested in a balanced theoretical perspective between qualitative and quantitative research. Maxwell's approach, rooted in critical realism, emphasizes the complexity of social processes and the need to combine observable reality with broader social contexts. The review discusses how this approach can be applied to the study of language use and ideological discourse in Japan, particularly in the context of EFL education. Maxwell's realist perspective, which distinguishes between ontology and epistemology, offers a more nuanced understanding of social reality and challenges the limitations of both qualitative and quantitative research traditions. The review also mentions Belz’s research on German-American telecollaboration as an example of a realist approach in applied linguistics, emphasizing the importance of a multi-directional relationship between context and agency. Overall, the book is praised for its insights into the nature of social reality and its relevance for applied linguistics research.