Comparative Research Methodology

Comparative research, according to Mills, “refers to the evaluation of the similarities, differences, and associations between entities. Entities may be based on many lines such as statements from an interview or individual, symbols, case studies, social groups, geographical or political configurations, and cross-national comparisons” [2013, 3]. This definition suggests that the aim of this kind of research is to give an outline of the entities’ similarities while also identifying the “unique aspects” of the compared units of analyses. Social science researchers use comparative analysis as a method to their studies [Lor 2011, 2]. While Lor [2011] recognizes comparative method as a methodology, he also stated that other social scientists refer to it as a subfield. In fact, he identified comparative social science areas such as comparative education, comparative ethics, comparative history, comparative politics and comparative social policy [Lor 2011, 1]. But in any ways, Lor emphasized the significance of this methodology or subfield in advancing the discussions in

One example of this is Owen’s research on the performance of Italy’s clothing and textile industries compared to the United Kingdom’s [2003, 1]. Owen studied why the Italian’s clothing and textile industries are more successful than the British’s. The aim of the study was to find out what made the Italians productive so the British can adopt the strategies to their own industries [Owen 2003, 2]. Owen used the case study approach to deeply analyze what are the factors that explain the Italian’s success and the British’s decline in terms of profit [Owen 2003, 3]. He gathered data on the average size of both countries’ textile and clothing companies, average cost of production, delivery time and the quality of their products [Owen 2003,