Historical and Comparative Research Issues in using secondary data Historical studies Comparative studies Analysis Demonstration/exercise

Historical and Comparative Research Historical - events and processes over a period of time (past or present) Comparative - different groups, areas, or societies at the same time These can overlap – e.g., a historical comparative study These can be qualitative or quantitative or both

Both use existing “secondary” data statistics documents news accounts narratives, stories oral histories letters and diaries organizational records artifacts

Issues in using secondary data Validity Different operational definitions Meaning of words may change Sources may not be scientific Gaps in information, missing data Case studies, not representative Focus on individuals, events, not on social structures

Issues in using secondary data Reliability Sources’ accuracy may be questionable Subjectivity, selective perception

Types of Historical Studies 1. Historical events - explain unique event or series of events. Causes, contributing factors. Develop general theory. Focus on social structure, not people or details. 2. Historical process - longitudinal. Relation of time to events. Duration, pace of change, cycles or trends, cultural meaning of time.

Theories of historical process Evolutionary - Progression of societies –Simple to complex –Hunting/gathering to post-industrial –Feudal to capitalist to socialist –Modernization –All have a “linear” view

Theories of historical process Cyclical – alternate between cultural points of view –Ideational/sensate –Individual/group –Cycles may eventually end in convergence

Comparative Studies Usually cross sectional Compare same variable in different societies. Comparability of data is major issue Missing data may also be a problem

Method of Agreement / Difference John Stuart Mill Agreement - dependent variable is the same for two societies. What else do they have in common? Difference - dependent variable is different for two societies. What else is different? –Helps identify possible causes. –Problem: evidence is circumstantial. –Selection of cases may influence findings. –May result in oversimplification.