Kurt Aland (1979, 43) favors a type of textual criticism that he calls the local-genealogical method. He defines it as follows:
Theories and Methodologies of New Testament Textual Criticism
Even though these various schools of thought can be identified, it is necessary to realize that some textual scholars might partially adopt the approaches of two or more schools, so that a synthesis often results. Likewise, schools tend to fluctuate over time due to the influx of new leaders and materials.