comparative method  The topic comparative method is discussed in
the following articles:     • TITLE: adaptation (biology and
physiology)     The comparative method, using comparisons across
species that have evolved independently, is an effective means
for studying historical and physical constraints. This approach
involves using statistical methods to account for differences in
size (allometry) and evolutionary trees (phylogenies) for
tracing trait evolution among lineages.  animal behaviour
studies    • TITLE: animal behaviour     SECTION: Adaptive
design     A second way of studying the adaptive design of a
behaviour is what Darwin called the comparative method, which
takes advantage of the thousands of “natural experiments” that
have occurred over evolutionary time (that is, throughout the
formation of new species and the evolution of their special
characteristics). Here again, specific hypotheses regarding how
natural selection has...  philosophy of biology and natural
selection    • TITLE: biology, phi