Coding Issues in Cognitive Mapping of Games

In text analysis studies coders have to make qualitative decisions. These decisions are based on interpretations of the texts under study. In such situations it is very helpful to have coding rules. These do not only help as an aid to the coder, but are also useful for readers of the research report that will follow. The rules make visible in considerable extent how the coding task has been performed, they take care of transparency. This contribution focuses on motions that have been treated in the Dutch House of Representatives. Motions usually contain information on why they are needed, the proposing member usually also tells about it. There is a discussion with the secretary, who is supposed to put the motion into effect if it is accepted. The secretary even has to give an advice. It is assumed that under these discussion(s) a cognitive map containing some game theoretic representation can be found. Rules are discussed that are used to code the types of maps that might be found.