Comparative Method in Sociological Research
The Phrase “comparative method” refers to the method of comparing different societies or groups within the same society to show whether and why they are similar or different in certain respects. Both Montesquieu and Auguste Comte, often regarded as the founders of sociology, used or recommended ‘comparison’ to establish and explain both differences and similarities between societies. The comparative method was for long considered the method par excellence of sociology.
According to Andre Beteille, comparative method is used distinctly by two sets of scholars. Firstly, the ‘enthusiasts’ those who make cross board analysis. These include Edward Tylor, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim and Radcliff Brown . Secondly the ‘skeptics’- those who use comparative method with great degree of caution. These include Franz Boas, Gouldner, And Evans Pritchard.
Auguste Comte used the comparative method by suggesting the comparison of human with non- human characteristics, to show what was distinctive of the former and the comparison of societies at the same and different stages of social development to demonstrate the laws of co-existence and laws of succession and mental phenomena. It was first used by the evolutionist sociologists, but its use doesn’t involve a necessary commitment to an evolutionary approach, Herbert Spencer was one such evolutionist who used the comparative method to show the development of society from simple to complex. He put forth the ‘organic analogy’ in which he compared society with a biological organism. L.H Morgan, another evolutionist, studied the evolution of family from the savage era, through barbarism to civilization. He studied the institutional forms by comparing their development in these three stages.
Edward Bounette Tylor introduced a statistical method for the comparative study of cultural traits and doctrine of survival. The chief aim of comparison was to discover “cultural adhesions” or necessary co-relation between two or more
According to Andre Beteille, comparative method is used distinctly by two sets of scholars. Firstly, the ‘enthusiasts’ those who make cross board analysis. These include Edward Tylor, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim and Radcliff Brown . Secondly the ‘skeptics’- those who use comparative method with great degree of caution. These include Franz Boas, Gouldner, And Evans Pritchard.
Auguste Comte used the comparative method by suggesting the comparison of human with non- human characteristics, to show what was distinctive of the former and the comparison of societies at the same and different stages of social development to demonstrate the laws of co-existence and laws of succession and mental phenomena. It was first used by the evolutionist sociologists, but its use doesn’t involve a necessary commitment to an evolutionary approach, Herbert Spencer was one such evolutionist who used the comparative method to show the development of society from simple to complex. He put forth the ‘organic analogy’ in which he compared society with a biological organism. L.H Morgan, another evolutionist, studied the evolution of family from the savage era, through barbarism to civilization. He studied the institutional forms by comparing their development in these three stages.
Edward Bounette Tylor introduced a statistical method for the comparative study of cultural traits and doctrine of survival. The chief aim of comparison was to discover “cultural adhesions” or necessary co-relation between two or more
Bibliography: “Foundations Of Social Anthropology” –S.F. Nadel “Method and Scope of Social Anthropology”- A.R. Radcliff Brown “Rules of Sociological Method”- Emile Durkheim “Some observations on comparative method” – Andre Beteille “Methods and theories of Sociology” -Ritzer