Comparative-historical approaches in sociology are research methods to study social formation and transformation. “Comparative” studies examine and contrast social structures and processes across countries or regions to identify general patterns.

What does a comparative approach mean?

: a method of investigation (as of ethnologic phenomena and relations) based on comparison.

What is the comparative approach and how can it be used?

Comparative research methods have long been used in cross-cultural studies to identify, analyse and explain similarities and differences across societies. Whatever the methods used, research that crosses national boundaries increasingly takes account of socio-cultural settings.