Problems in Cross-cultural Research

Abstract

Cross-cultural research is one of the most exciting developments in the social sciences in the last couple of decades. Some writers would argue that cross-cultural research commenced much earlier with the work of Wundt (1904) who was interested in cross-cultural comparisons. However, a sizeable number of researchers from the fields of psychology, sociology and anthropology have only recently become aware that models, tools and techniques largely developed in a Euro-American context do not necessarily have validity in other cultural contexts. Yet cross-cultural research is accelerating, and in the process methodologies and strategies are also being refined. The purpose of this chapter is to explore some of the problems facing researchers both at the conceptual and operational levels.