Tools
There are many different types of DH tools, ranging from text analysis tools that allow researchers to analyze the frequency and context of words and phrases in large datasets, to visualization tools that help researchers to see patterns and trends in data in a more intuitive way.
Popular DH tools include:
Audio Editing
- Audacity – a free and open-source sound recording and editing program
Cleaning & Visualizing Data
- D3.js – a JavaScript library for producing dynamic, interactive data visualizations in web browsers
- Gephi – a free and open-source software for visualizing and analyzing networks
- OpenRefine – a free and open-source data cleaning tool that helps users to explore, clean, and transform data quickly and easily
- R Studio – an open-source program (IDE) for R or Python, used for statistical computing, data analysis, and visualizations
- Tableau / Tableau Public – a data visualization software for creating interactive charts and dashboards
- Voyant Tools – a web-based text analysis tool that allows users to explore and analyze text
Storytelling
- ArcGIS – a powerful GIS software developed by Esri for analyzing spatial data, creating maps and managing geographic information
- StoryMaps – a digital tool that helps users create interactive stories using maps, images, and videos. ArcGIS StoryMaps allows users to build maps on existing ArcGIS webmaps to create an interactive narrative
- Knight Lab at Northwestern University builds open-source and lightweight tools for digital storytelling, e.g. TimelineJS, StoryMapJS, StorylineJS
Prototyping & UI Design
- Figma – a design and prototyping software that allows designers to create user interfaces, websites, and other digital products
- InVision – a digital product design platform that helps teams design and prototype websites and mobile apps
- Adobe XD – a vector design and prototyping tool used to create websites and mobile apps
Publishing
- Omeka – a free and open-source web publishing platform for sharing digital collections and creating online exhibits
Reference Materials
Articles
Manovich, Lev. “What Is Visualization?” Manovich.Net, 2012.
Freire, N., Voorburg, R., Cornelissen, R., de Valk, S., Meijers, E., & Isaac, A. (2019). Aggregation of Linked Data in the Cultural Heritage Domain: A Case Study in the Europeana Network. Information, 10(8), 252. https://doi.org/10.3390/info10080252
Antell, H. (2017, July 18). The Code4Lib Journal – Extending Omeka for a Large-Scale Digital Project. https://journal.code4lib.org/articles/12529
Books
Course Information
HUMA 5630 Introduction to Digital Humanities
Read the Syllabus