What is the term for analyzing how elements relate to one another through identifying similarities and differences?

The term that best fits the description of analyzing how elements relate to one another by identifying similarities and differences is comparative analysis. This process involves examining two or more items, ideas, or texts to highlight their commonalities and distinctions. Such analysis is essential in various fields, including literature and social science, as it allows for deeper understanding and insight into the subject matter being studied.

In contexts such as literary analysis, comparative analysis helps students draw connections between themes, characters, and stylistic choices across different works, thereby enriching their comprehension and interpretations. It encourages critical thinking and evaluation, as students must assess the significance of the similarities and differences they identify.

The other options do not align as closely with the specific process of comparing elements for their relationships. For instance, critical thinking encompasses broader reasoning and evaluation skills, synthesis involves combining ideas into a coherent whole, and summarization focuses on distilling information down to its main points without necessarily drawing comparisons.