Abstract
The comparative approach has been widely used and invoked in public policy research. There are many different ways of applying comparison in social sciences, however.
The goal of this chapter is therefore to discuss its potentials and limits in social sciences, with special attention paid to public policy. The authors define comparison as a research approach which is driven by a joint logic, rather than a common research design or a common method.
No straightforward series of steps in comparative research can be therefore found in the text. Furthermore, comparison is not a relevant research goal itself but rather a means to other goals.
The chapter focuses on defining the goals of comparison, formulating research questions, and choosing a theoretical approach towards the research object. Various methodological questions (number and selection of cases for comparison, choice of items and criteria of comparison, problems of comparability and generalization etc.) are dealt with.
At the end of the chapter, the authors discuss the possible uses of comparative evidence in the policy making process.