Cohort analysis and the issue of delimitating components of social changes: method of linear trend de-composition

Possibilities and limitations of linear trend de-composition method are reviewed related to cohort analysis while studying societal changes. Situations are specified when its application is effective to understand the nature of societal changes in comparative perspective. Advantage of using objective statistical criteria to delimitate effects of historical period and cohort replacement under conditions, when the studied sign does not essentially change with the age, is discussed.