What is it?

The comparative method consists of establishing parallels with other objects of study, as a whole or partially, analyzing similarities and differences.

The method in a flash

What is comparing? Comparing is paying attention to two or more objects to discover their relationships or consider their differences or similarities.

In the process of comparing, identifying the similarities allows us to organize and relate the new concept with existing knowledge, and establishing the differences or contrasting them allows us to discriminate the new concept from other similar ones, avoiding confusion or contamination.

Being able to compare is a condition for establishing relationships that lead to abstract thinking. The comparison is framed within the language, which is what makes the comparison possible.

What purposes does it serve us for?

To establish parallels with other objects of study to obtain and discover concrete data to better understand the object of study.

It also helps us understand the composition or behavior of objects and processes, and can help us understand the response to certain processes by similarity. "If this happens in this case, in this other case the same thing is likely to happen."

compare helps us to contextualize, to understand what the object contributes to the environment and to the group. Through the similarities and differences with others, we will understand where we place it.

For idea generation, comparison is very useful. The comparison helps us to know possible substitutes. For example, in gastronomic restoration, we can identify a new product that can replace another in an elaboration.

THE COMPARATIVE METHOD, STEP BY STEP

1

Define for what reason and for what purpose we want to make comparisons of the subject of study with other subjects.

2

From the definition of the study topic, identify the other topics that can be compared, are closer or further away.

3

Identify elements within the topic that can be compared with others, and identify elements within other different themes, are closer or more distant, with which they can be compared, are comparisons between equal or similar, or very different.

4

Identify, in the lexicon or dictionary created with the lexical method, what possible comparisons it can generate.

5

Identify, in the classification criteria defined with the classificatory method, what possible comparisons it can generate.

6

For each comparison, decide what types of comparisons will be made: look for similarities, look for differences, or both.

7

For each comparison, define criteria, parameters, according to which the comparison will be made.

8

Once the parameters have been defined, for each of the elements to be compared, collect the information regarding the parameters.

9

Finally, contrast the information relative to the parameters of the different elements and formulate the conclusions.

CONNECTIONS BETWEEN METHODS