ABSTRACT
The set of research methods known as comparative research can be useful any time we want to compare groups of humans, whether the grouping is geographical in nature or has another basis. For example, studies of different political parties in France or corporations in Japan might call for comparative methods just as much as a study comparing different nations does. Comparative analysis can be valuable because it allows us to generalize beyond the confines of a single culture and because it permits us to test for the effects of system-level characteristics. Comparative researchers also need to be aware of, and comply with, the requirements of data protection laws and other relevant legislation that might differ from country to country. One of the least used methods for gathering data in cross-national research is comparative focus groups. Comparative focus groups allow researchers to probe for differences and communalities that might exist in the perceptions of people with different cultural backgrounds.
