Comparative research has emerged as an indispensable methodological paradigm within contemporary nursing scholarship, enabling the systematic elucidation of similarities, divergences, and relational dynamics across diverse healthcare contexts. This study aimed to critically examine the characteristics, methodological underpinnings, and applications of comparative research in nursing, with particular emphasis on its utility in informing evidence-based practice, policy formulation, and educational innovation. Employing a literature review on comparative methodologies was synthesized to delineate prevailing designs, sampling strategies, instrumentation protocols, and analytical frameworks. Findings reveal that comparative research is distinguished by its non-manipulative nature, reliance on naturally occurring variables, and its capacity to interrogate real-world effectiveness across heterogeneous populations. Moreover, advanced analytical approaches, notably Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), facilitate the identification of complex causal configurations through set-theoretic logic and Boolean algebra, thereby transcending the limitations of conventional statistical inference. The study further underscores the growing adoption of fuzzy-set and multi-value variants, which accommodate nuanced gradations of causality and contextual variability. Despite its demonstrable potential, comparative research remains underutilized in nursing inquiry, particularly within cross-national and interdisciplinary domains. The implications of these findings advocate for the integration of comparative methodologies into advanced nursing curricula and research training programs to enhance methodological rigor and global relevance. Comparative research offers a robust framework for advancing nursing knowledge, optimizing clinical outcomes, and fostering adaptive, culturally responsive healthcare systems.
Jolly Nova Cabansal (Fri,) studied this question.