I think you are correct in the approach to see if the individual themselves, on a case by case basis, can give well thought out reasons for their choices. But

I think you are correct in the approach to see if the individual themselves, on a case by case basis, can give well thought out reasons for their choices. But there can be a lot of fatigue in software process and tool selection, because it can be so opinionated and change from year to year quickly. I think it's the lack of good scientific studies of processes, and the immense difficulty of constructing such a study, which often leads "the best way" of doing something, to be based on personal opinions and sometimes, whatever is popular in the community at the moment. Sometimes I think that the quality of a product, really only depends on the quality of the individuals making it, tools are just a means to achieve the goal, as they can be made malable. But I digress, it's not so simple.