Reason analysis is a long neglected method of data collection and analysis. This article describes the method and shows some fields of practical application. The methods and principles of reason analysis were first expounded by Lazarsfeld (1935). Reason analysis explores how respondents answer “why” questions during survey interviews. Typically, respondents are asked a simple question inquiring about the reasons that led them to make a specific decision or action. Data obtained in this way are often used to construct a simple classification of respondents. In reality, respondents often have many reasons for making a particular decision, but usually only mention one to an interviewer. Reason analysis contends that responses to ‘why’ questions are a combination of some or all reasons used by the respondent to formulate an answer to an interviewers’ question. Consequently, reason analysis constructs a “tree” of questions and an “accounting scheme” or model of the decision or action being studied. Using this framework, responses are grouped into classes and types according to their (dis)similarity. With the development of software tools it is now easy to estimate reason analysis models of survey response. One key advantage of reason analysis is that it facilitates developing a deeper understanding of the latent structure of groups; and hence allows a more precise estimation of individual level effects in studies of decision-making. As the demand for “structural estimation” models of decision making and action increase, it is likely the reason analysis will become a more influential methodological approach in the 21st century.
This article summarizes methodological procedures and data sources that are typically used in investigating the effects of family structure on the life chances of children. This study shows how these tools have developed over time and it is argued that the prevailing practice in Czech surveys is inadequate for stratification research because it does not reflect contemporary population trends; and can lead to seriously biased estimates. We propose new measurement tools that are appropriate for stratification research, and we appeal for their wider use in future surveys.
The authors treat a manuscript missal unknown to this day by experts, which is housed at the Scientific Library in Olomouc (M III 106). After having analysed the manuscript in the line of codicology (Š. Kohout), history of arts (J. Hrbačova), and musicology (S. Červenka), they conclude that this codex was intended for the needs of the Benedictine Convent in Opatovice nad Labem. It was created shortly after the year 1354, its illuminations are the work of a Prague workshop associated with the court of King Charles IV, which participated in the production of a series of exclusive manuscripts, e. g. Liber viaticus of the Bishop Johannes Noviforensis. The Viaticus and the missal of Opatovice are on the same line in terms of decoration. The missal was probably ordered by the then Benedictine Abbot Neplach who maintained frequent official contacts with the Bishop occupying the office of chancellor to Charles IV.
The authors treat a manuscript missal unknown to this day by experts, which is housed at the Scientific Library in Olomouc (M III 106). After having analysed the manuscript in the line of codicology (Š. Kohout), history of arts (J. Hrbačova), and musicology (S. Červenka), they conclude that this codex was intended for the needs of the Benedictine Convent in Opatovice nad Labem. It was created shortly after the year 1354, its illuminations are the work of a Prague workshop associated with the court of King Charles IV, which participated in the production of a series of exclusive manuscripts, e. g. Liber viaticus of the Bishop Johannes Noviforensis. The Viaticus and the missal of Opatovice are on the same line in terms of decoration. The missal was probably ordered by the then Benedictine Abbot Neplach who maintained frequent official contacts with the Bishop occupying the office of chancellor to Charles IV.