Computerized Decision Support Systems and Text Analysis: Evaluating CETA

Computers can play several different roles in text analysis. We will examine one of these, computerized decision support systems; first giving a brief introduction to the general features of this family of software and then focusing on CETA (Computer Aided Evaluative Text Analysis) – developed by Van Cuilenburg et al. (1988) – a well known example of this type of computer assisted text analysis tool. After outlining the principles and recommended procedures for the use of CETA, we will formulate several hypotheses concerning its strengths and weaknesses. These will be tested by means of a case study: an in-depth analysis of news coverage by the New York Times of the air traffic controllers' strike against the Reagan administration in the early 1980s. We will focus primarily on one key NYT editorial to illustrate the potential and limitations of CETA.