Comparative-Historical Methods

Thinkers as diverse as Karl Marx and Foucault have employed comparative-historical analysis. While Lange (sociology, McGill U., Montreal, Canada) concedes that fewer sociologists have been using such methods in recent years, he advocates for them because of the insights into complex social issues they have facilitated, and the ease of combining them with other methods. He provides an overview of social science methodologies; and the history, subjects, disciplines, and within-case and inter-case methods of comparative-historical analysis; and explains the value of combining these methods, case selection, and theory development. Chapters feature a glossary and illustrations. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)