Health care purchasers and regulators often make comparisons between providers on indicators of quality. In this article the rationale for such comparisons is described, the options for this form of monitoring are considered and how this type of evaluation has evolved over time is outlined. Then, using a recent example of a quality program that
A specific comparative research methodology is known in most social sciences. Its definition often refers to countries and cultures at the same time, because cultural differences between countries can be rather small (e.g., in Scandinavian countries), whereas very different cultural or ethnic groups may live within one country (e.g., minorities in the United States). Comparative
Social comparative emotions are elicited when there is a reflection and comparison of one’s personal attributes with an individual or group of others who may pose a threat to the self. Social comparative emotions are evoked when there appears to be large a discrepancy between the self and another, in domains that are important and