ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the methodological and theoretical context. Comparative housing analysis can be viewed as a ‘nesting’ process, whereby housing studies forms an intermediate focus between the social science context and the special methodological aspects of comparative analysis. Too often in housing research an antithetical stance is taken on a housing issue without reference to the very different methods and traditions from which conclusions are being drawn. Understanding of housing outcomes may be better provided by a combination of differing academic disciplines looking at specific housing problems. If the housing system has a structure, then it may be considered to be a functioning structure; one where the system of housing supply is seen as a series of linkages or events which are connected in variety of ways. One way of trying to make sense of housing systems might be to use the ‘structuration’ thesis.
