Abstract:

I have referred to comparability in a very limited sense, namely the exact replication of research methods across a number of countries. I have done so because comparability is so often discussed in these terms, or because it is felt - whether implicitly or explicitly - that comparability in the sense of comparability of results involves or depends on comparability of techniques. I should, therefore, like to make a very clear distinction between: 1. Comparability at the data-collection stage; 2. Comparability at the interpretation stage.