Comparative method - research methods
Advantages
Cheap, easy to access and in the case of quantitative data, pre analysed
Disadvantages
Historical documents have problems with accuracy and interpretation
Disadvantages
In some areas it only presents a superficial picture
Disadvantages
It has been collected by non sociologists for a different purpose
Disadvantages
Likely to be unrepresentative
Advantages
Quantitative secondary data is usually in a format that allows comparative analysis to be carried out
Advantages
Quantitative secondary data usually had a large sample, thus makes it more representative and reliable
Advantages
Sometime secondary data is the only material available