Blog Post 5: Data Mining & Quantifying Literature

-

 Data mining as explained in the book is "...an automated analysis that looks for patterns and extracts meaningful information in digital files" (Pg. 110). I like being able to extract quantitative data from literature or art. The use of Voyant tools can be very useful. Voyant tools show us visualizations that help us get results about the text. As said in the book Voyant tools help by "...eliminating some results and strengthening others..." (Pg. 115). Something like the bubble lines helps with visualization. They help you figure out how many words have been said and which words are important to know. The textbook also states that "At the heart of data mining and text analysis are several processes that should be understood critically" (Pg. 112). These processes are called parametrization and tokenization. These show us what is able to be counted and how the counting is done. Things like statistical analyses of frequency, proximity, and value of individual data points within the larger sets can also be helpful with data mining. As said in the textbook, "...multiple factors go into determining how any individual word is valued, not just the number of times it appears" (Pg. 112). The Voyant Tools program doesn't just help you figure out how many times the word is viewed but also why it was used so many times. It helps you find the value of the word which comes in handy when you are looking at a text. The Voyant tools program highlights the important words used and also uses mapping to help you figure out the text as well. It also helps you see the different language trends by using a graph. It also shows you the document terms that are being used. The Voyant Tools program has been really helpful for me because I am a visual learner, and this helps me understand the text better. 



Comments

  1. Dr. MFebruary 26, 2024 at 12:31 PM

    From Lindsay: I really like your post! I like how you applied Voyant tools to your understanding of Data Mining and also how this can further your understanding in regards to digital humanities. I can relate when you said this is how you figure out how to use Voyant for your project because I am also planning on looking at how many words have been said and which words are important to know in my own story I am using for the analysis. By knowing what words are used and how many times it is used, you can then understand the story better or look at how it relates to the other stories by the same author. I also agree with you when you mention how the Voyant tools have been helpful for you because you are a visual learner, and I can relate because I am also a visual learner and find Voyant tools helpful in this way as well.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog 4: Information Visualizations and Distant Reading

-
    “What is Distant Reading” by Kathryn Shultz sheds light on the evolving landscape of literary analysis and visualization projects like Six Degrees of Francis Bacon, as well as Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, which is advocated through the perspective of Franco Moretti. Moretti proposes a pretty big change from traditional close reading, advocating that when analyzing massive amounts of literary data, we should analyze it using digital methods. His approach challenges the conventional methods of analyzing and reading literature, suggesting that a broader, data-driven perspective is necessary to fully understand and grasp the true complexity of something. In projects such as Six Degrees by Francis Bacon, using distant reading techniques could revolutionize our understanding of historical data by uncovering new information and patterns in literary works. By analyzing large amounts of textual data, researchers are able to gain insights into the historical contexts on how the...
Read more

Blog Post 6: Maps & Virtual Spaces (Pat Pasong)

-
Image
  After reading both chapters 8 and 9, I’ve gained insight into geographic information systems (GIS) and mapping technologies. These tools offer powerful means to organize, analyze, and visualize spatial data related to heritage sites, artifacts, and landscapes. GIS allows for the integration of diverse datasets, including historical maps, archeological surveys, and satellite imagery, enabling researchers to study spatial relationships, monitor changes over time, and make informed decisions about conservation and management strategies. Three-dimensional models are also valuable tools for studying the built environment.  Virtual tourism and heritage can offer opportunities for people to access and explore cultural sites and artifacts from anywhere in the world. They are useful for people who cannot visit these sites in person which makes them more accessible to a wider audience. However, there’s also the question about the authenticity and integrity of the virtual experience. V...
Read more