What type of data is often used in the comparative method?

The comparative method often employs official statistics because this type of data provides standardized information that can be used to analyze and compare different social phenomena across various contexts or groups. Official statistics are gathered systematically by government agencies or organizations, ensuring a degree of reliability and validity. This allows sociologists to identify patterns, trends, and correlations that can be useful when making comparisons, whether across regions, demographics, or time periods.

In contrast, qualitative case studies typically focus on in-depth, detailed examinations of individual cases rather than broad comparisons, making them less suited for the comparative method. Personal narratives are subjective accounts that reflect individual experiences, which do not lend themselves to systematic comparison. Focus group feedback, while valuable for insights into opinions and attitudes, generally lacks the standardized structure needed for comparative analysis. Therefore, official statistics are particularly aligned with the goals of the comparative method, which seeks to draw broader conclusions from data that can reliably represent different groups or contexts.