I need to find records based on the content of one date compared against a second date field in the same table.

if date1 is greater than date2 show the record

Do I need a self-join to accomplish this?

Thanks

An easy way to do this is add a calculated number field = Date1 > Date 2. If true the result is 1 otherwise it is zero. Find the records that = 1.

You could use a relationship, as long as both date fields are not globals. A relationship where date1 > date2 or date2 < date1 should work. Use Go to Related Record [show only related; "thisrelationship"] to isolate the related records.