Comparative Methods: Going beyond Incorporating International Research Methods with Traditional Methods

Although comparative methods have a long history and there have been prior calls to action and attempts to integrate what are often identified as international research methods into the standard methods currently used and taught, these efforts have been largely unsuccessful at mainstreaming an inclusive perspective. The purpose of this article is to encourage the implementation of Durkheim's (1938) more inclusive definition that all research is comparative, which will improve the methods used not only in international research, but in all research. This paper first examines four of the past barriers that have slowed progress in successfully mainstreaming this inclusive perspective: 1) lack of shared terms, resulting in 2) lack of definition, 3) problems with traditional methods, and 4) lack of understanding of the global perspective. The next section provides examples of successful and unsuccessful attempts to implement comparative methods. The final section offers preliminary work on each of the three areas that are lacking: 1) terminology, 2) textbook, and 3) a global perspective.

Notes

Note the use of the term ‘'methods,’’ not ‘'methodology.’’ Methodology is the study of methods. Therefore, comparative methodology is the study of comparative methods. For example, Young and her colleagues (1999) provide a series of issues a researcher should consider when designing and implementing a study in a foreign country (e.g., establishing partnerships, locating respondents). Comparative methodology would design studies that test which method produces better results. In this article, we are not discussing studying methods, but the use of methods. The terms methodology and methods often are used interchangeably, leaving the reader guessing whether the study is intended to be a study of methods or a study using methods.

Contact information: Cindy J. Smith, University of Baltimore, 1420 N. Charles St. AC242G, Baltimore, MD 21201. Telephone: [phone]. E‐mail: [email protected]