What is DH?

Digital humanities are an area of study in which computational methods apply to humanities research. Most digital humanities projects focus on converting materials to digital format, processing them with computational methods, and then presenting them on an online platform designed for humanists (WordPress, blogs, etc.). Digital tools extract data and then apply that knowledge to answer/infer information on humanities material. For example, a DH project might include gathering data on online gaming rates in a neighborhood and then answer a research question about what that might reflect about the area. The field is constantly evolving alongside other forms of technology.

After reading the first chapter of The Digital Humanities Coursebook, I understand the digital humanities more deeply. While the digital humanities are a broad category; they base themselves around using digital media/data collecting methods to solve humanities questions. “Digital Humanities Overview” discusses how the field uses data computation (materials, processing, presentation). Debate and ethics present in digital humanities are addressed as well. More directly, the chapter ponders if automated systems carry out the intricacy of human observation. As the book says, “We should not forget that computation depends on models that inscribe values and biases…making some of those techniques legible is part of the learning process and should also be part of the documentation that accompanies research.” (pg 6). 

 I have used the app Inaturalist in the past and wonder if it falls into the digital humanities category. In the app, the user inputs a picture and written physical characteristics of an undefined plant and then gives suggestions of its species. While the user is given the option to define the plant, certified users can override you if you’re incorrect. This app element reminded me of the idea in the data that digital tools can extract valuable information; however, human research is still necessary to accommodate it.