Instructions for Recording Data from Indexes
Beverly J. Silver · 2003
This appendix contains the instructions used by persons recording data from newspaper indexes. Examples of how to classify events, the introductory statement, and the lists of index headings to use as a guide in searching the index are not included here. The latter is a several-pages-long list of industries, countries, and other subject headings. What Types of Reported Actions to Record Record any action indicative of labor unrest (see definition). “Labor” includes wage workers and the unemployed (it does not include peasants, students, soldiers, communists, etc., but it does include agricultural wage laborers). In the case of actions by the unemployed, write “unemployed” in the industry column of the coding sheet. Record actions even if they are only rumored, threatened, or planned, or if the report is that the action is completed and over. Also record actions that have been cancelled. Record whether the act is referred to in an editorial, is a report of persons commenting on the action, or an analysis of the impact of the action (e.g., on the nation's economy). Reports of state action against labor should be recorded in the following way: (a) the index clause mentions a government action only , record it if it is indicative of labor unrest (e.g., anti-strike legislation, arbitration); (b) an index clause mentions both a labor action and a government action, do not record the government action unless: (i) government action indicates a state of siege, coup d'état, or martial law in response to labor unrest (government sending in troops can be interpreted as martial law; arrests should not be); […]