Data scopes for digital history research

TY - JOUR

T1 - Data scopes for digital history research

AU - Hoekstra, F.G.

AU - Koolen, Marijn

PY - 2018/11

Y1 - 2018/11

N2 - The term Macroscope has recently been introduced as an instrument to study historical big data using digital tools. In this paper we argue the need for a more elaborate set of con- cepts to describe and reason about the interactions to select, enrich, connect, analyse and evaluate historical data using digital tools. Interactions change the data and are essential in understanding any subsequent analysis. It makes them part of historical research method- ology, but there is little consensus on how these steps can or should be performed. Moreover, they are rarely reported and discussed. We introduce the term data scope as an instrument encompassing these choices and interactions. Elaborating on these processes encourages deeper reflection on and discussion of the interactions and their consequences for research outcomes.

AB - The term Macroscope has recently been introduced as an instrument to study historical big data using digital tools. In this paper we argue the need for a more elaborate set of con- cepts to describe and reason about the interactions to select, enrich, connect, analyse and evaluate historical data using digital tools. Interactions change the data and are essential in understanding any subsequent analysis. It makes them part of historical research method- ology, but there is little consensus on how these steps can or should be performed. Moreover, they are rarely reported and discussed. We introduce the term data scope as an instrument encompassing these choices and interactions. Elaborating on these processes encourages deeper reflection on and discussion of the interactions and their consequences for research outcomes.

KW - Digital history

KW - methodology

KW - Data modeling

KW - research process

KW - digital tools

U2 - 10.1080/01615440.2018.1484676

DO - 10.1080/01615440.2018.1484676

M3 - Article

SN - 0161-5440

VL - 52

SP - 79

EP - 94

JO - Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History

JF - Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History

IS - 2

ER -