Secular eulogy data
Description
Data contains 59 speeches from five Eulogy manuals published in the period 1963–1988 (in Czech). The analysis focused on the argumentative character of eulogies. Codebook contains variables that relate to the type of argument statement, distinguishing between standpoints (1, 2) and arguments with specific propositional content. In the case of arguments, attention is focused on the propositional content of the sub-arguments. It therefore includes 33 variables for specific standpoints and sub-arguments.
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1. The sample of eulogies used in this study was taken from an existing data set (Svačinová 2022). It consists of model eulogies taken from eulogy manuals. In the analysis, I work with 59 speeches from five Eulogy manuals published in the period 1963–1988. All eulogies were prepared in uniform format: they were transcribed into one document, marked with a specific number and information about the source. 2. Identification of the variables: In the first stage, based on a qualitative study of the sample of eulogies, the expected types of standpoints and sub-arguments were identified. This phase corresponds to a qualitative study and was implemented by the author. In this stage, expected types of specific propositional content of sub-arguments at level 1.1.1 were also identified based on theoretical expectation compared with empirical investigation of a part of the data set. These particular categories of propositional content of standpoints and sub-arguments were formulated as specific variables. 3. In the second stage, two coders – the author and one independent coder – discussed the clarity and completeness of the codebook, coding sheet, and coding instructions. Based on the discussion, some variables were removed or reformulated, and small edits and improvements to the codebook and coding sheet were implemented. In the end, the coding sheet includes 33 variables for specific standpoints and sub-arguments (with specified propositional content). 4. The third stage served to familiarize coders with the coding procedure and to measure and also improve the coding instruments (see Akkermans et al. 2018: 192). First, the second coder and I coded three eulogies; after that, we discussed the process of coding, which led to a refining of the coding instructions and some of the variables. 5. The final version of the codebook contains variables that relate to the type of argument statement, distinguishing between standpoints (1, 2) and arguments with specific propositional content. In the case of arguments, attention is focused on the propositional content of the sub-arguments at level 1.1.1 (i.e., 1.1a.1, 1.1b.1, 2.1a.1, etc.), which are used to support the premises at a higher level.