Arts Research Digest presents the fourth seminar in its current Arts Research series, entitled 'The Use and Abuse of Comparative Research in the Arts and Cultural Sectors at the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Scotland Foundation on Friday July 5 2002. The seminar will focus on two fundamental questions: why are we so interested in making comparisons in the cultural sector and what can commissioners of research and researchers themselves do to ensure that the results are meaningful and therefore useful? Participants will consider what has been learned from past research and when and how to embark on comparative studies. The question as to why there is so much quantitative research as opposed to qualitative research done in this area will also be a key area of exploration at the seminar. The Policy Studies Institute has been commissioned to produce a literature review which will summarise the key pieces of comparative research undertaken since 1990 that are publicly available in English. The review will be circulated to participants prior to the seminar date. The review will give an overview of the different types of comparative research undertaken in the arts and cultural sectors eg quantitative and qualitative, levels of funding, types of funding, volume of provision, attitudes to the arts etc. If you are interested in advance publicity and registration information for this seminar then email hc.ard@unn.ac.uk