Digital Resources for Humanities: Integration and Development
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project “Digital Resources for Humanities: Integration and Development” is implemented within the framework of the National Research Programme "Digital Resources of the Humanities"
http://www.digitalhumanities.lv/projects/DHVPP-en/
Project No: VPP-IZM-DH-2020/1-0001
Implementation period: 05.10.2020.–04.10.2022.
Project funding: EUR 1,217,700
Funded by: Latvian Council of Science of the Ministry of Education and Science
Project partners: Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia, Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Latvia, University of Latvia (UL Livonian Institute and Latvian Language Institute of the University of Latvia), Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, Liepaja University, Latvian Academy of Culture, Riga Technical University, National Library of Latvia.
Project leader: Sanita Bērziņa-Reinsone
Project coordinator (LAC): Dr. sc. soc. Ilona Kunda
Project research group (project participants from a partner institution): Ance Kristāla, Agnese Karlsone
Contacts: ilona.kunda@lka.edu.lv, dh@lulfmi.lv (LU LFMI)
Project administrative manager: Viktorija Moskina
Latest information about the project: http://www.digitalhumanities.lv/projekti/DHVPP
Summary
The DRH-ID project aims to provide a balanced and diverse programme in order to (1) provide support for the development of the existing digital resources and tools intended for humanities avoiding uneven development and enhancing their usage in research and education; (2) prevent fragmentation and unnecessary duplication by establishing of productive alliances between institutions that aggregate similar data; (3) ensure wider visibility and public access and provide a solution facilitating interdisciplinary crosswalks among the developed resources for humanities; (4) analyze use and users of digital resources in order to understand the effectiveness of digital resources and ways how to improve their usability for different target groups; (5) advance digital humanities (DH) research and education in Latvia and (6) provide guidance for developers of digital resources and tools for humanities, policymakers, researchers, and other target groups. In order to achieve these aims, the project brings together leading research, higher education, and cultural institutions that develop digital resources and tools for humanities research and carry out DH educational programmes and research in Latvia. During 24 months, five interinstitutional working groups will carry out a targeted and balanced agenda that will considerably promote the development and usage of humanities’ digital resources and tools and will provide a remarkable impact on the development of digital humanities in Latvia.
The researcher group from the Latvian Academy of Culture, in collaboration with the Latvia University Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art, is carrying out a study of digital humanities (DH) resource users’ needs. The study comprises a scholarly literature review, interviews with experts of the DH field, a survey of DH resource developers, the testing of usability of DH resources (by the “Think Aloud” method), a survey of practices of the partner institutions’ DH resource users, as well of analysis of Google Analytics data. The goal of the study is to obtain in-depth understanding of the practices and needs of users of the partner institutions’ DH resources, to test resource usability research methodology, and develop recommendations for sustainability of DH resources.
Project aim and objectives
The aim of the project is to ensure a balanced and diverse program aimed at significantly promoting the development, sustainability, and utilization of humanities resources, as well as substantially enhancing the quality of digital humanities in Latvia.
Project objectives:
- Develop fundamental research using digital resources in the humanities, and research to improve digital humanities resources;
- Identify the needs of the target end-user groups (such as researchers, educators, students, people with special needs, information and communication technology service providers) and adapt existing tools or create connections with existing digital humanities resources;
- Develop and adapt collections of digital humanities resources, expanding their functionality and integrating already developed digital resources.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
The article Practices of Developing Digital Humanities Tools and Resources in Latvia has been published
2022
A paper by the LKA project team (J. Daugavietis, A. Karlsone, I. Kunda, A. Kristāla) titled Practices of Developing Digital Humanities Tools and Resources in Latvia has been published in the thematic issue of the journal Letonica on Digital Humanities in Latvia. The article analyzes the experience of developing digital tools and resources from the perspective of developers working under ten scientific institutions. As it offers an overview of the topic, the article is the first in the mentioned issue of the journal https://lulfmi.lv/LETONICA-Nr-47.
The authors hope for a wide readership!
02-tools-and-resource-development-practices-in-latvian-digital-humanities_xqXVLxR.pdf (260.7 KB)
Researchers participate in the Cultural Crossroads XV conference
02.11.2021.
On November 2, 2021, as part of the Cultural Crossroads XV conference, the Latvian Academy of Culture (LKA) research team presented interim results of the project Digital Resources of the Humanities: Integration and Development (No. VPP-IZM-DH-2020/1-0001). The goal of the components developed by LKA within the project was to understand the needs of users of digital resources in the humanities. During the study, the project team created a conceptual framework that reflects the digital tool ecosystem. The researchers invited conference participants to discuss the roles and connections of various stakeholders, the digital autoethnography method used in the study, and some ambiguous survey results from digital resource creators (e.g., regarding "abandoned" resources). The implementation of the project will continue in 2022.
Presentation:
The research on the needs of users of DH (Digital Humanities) resources is underway
11.05.2021.
A group of researchers from the Latvian Academy of Culture (LKA), in collaboration with the University of Latvia's Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art (LU LFMI), is conducting a study on the needs of DH (Digital Humanities) resource users. This involves analyzing scientific literature, interviewing DH experts, surveying resource developers, testing resource usability using the Think aloud method, surveying users of resources developed by project partners, and analyzing Google Analytics data. The aim of the study is to gain a deeper understanding of DH resource users' experiences and needs regarding the use of DH resources created by project partners, test the methodology for usability research, and provide recommendations for the sustainability of DH resources.