Abstract

FUENTES - ROMERO, Juan José  and  RODRIGUEZ FERNANDEZ, Vanesa. A bibliographical review of comparative studies: its evolution and application to the science of libraries. Rev. Interam. Bibliot [online]. 2009, vol.32, n.2, pp. 411-433. ISSN 0120-0976.

From a presentation of the history of the comparative method in diverse scientific disciplines (natural sciences, sociology, pedagogy, literature, etc.), this article analyzes the importance of the use of the above mentioned method in the library sciences. It has been chosen a diachronic study of the question, so that departing from the first works on this matter (Krzys and Litton), there have been analyzed the definitions and essential ideas of such experts as Foskett, Shores and, especially the fundamental works of Simsova and Periam Danton. The article appears as a wide bibliographical review of the comparative method, considered like of very fruitful application in the sciences of the libraries.

Keywords : comparative studies; comparative research; information science; librarianship.