An Overview of Comparative Research Methods: Theories, Approaches and Perspectives

Context and Purpose: There are different types of research methods and they differ from each other in terms of type, approach, nature, perspective, etc. One of the most important research methods that has many applications in most fields is the comparative research method. This method has different approaches and characteristics that most of the thinkers have raised about it that are worthy of attention. The main goal of the current research is to investigate and analyze the comparative research method that examines its theory, approaches and horizons.
Methodology: The current research is of a fundamental type and the research method used in it is descriptive-analytical, which examines the main purpose of the research by using a review approach in document analysis and library studies.
Findings: This method has high flexibility and dynamism such that it can be implemented both quantitatively and qualitatively. Among its advantages, we can point out that this method discovers cause and effect relationships; There is no moral problem in it; can be read in the past; It prevents fabrication. And some thinkers believe that this method identifies patterns and trends; encourages intercultural understanding; expands theoretical knowledge; enables comparative analysis; Increases data reliability.
Conclusion: According to the results of the present research, it can be said that the comparative method is one of the flexible and special methods in different fields, which has its own conditions and criteria. This method is more dependent and focused on spatial and temporal conditions. Also, this method is able to determine the main and secondary structures of one or more phenomena from different perspectives and approaches