Library and information science and the digital humanities: Perceived and real strengths and weaknesses

Abstract

Purpose

Library and information science (LIS) and the digital humanities are both interested in studying recorded information and often share institutional frameworks. The purpose of this paper is to go beyond outlining these similarities by examining the perceived and real strengths and weaknesses of both disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

Epistemologies and methods of both disciplines are analysed, principally in the light of the growing importance of data-intensive research, taking into consideration that there is a tension about the academic status of these disciplines.

Findings

Epistemologies and methods of both disciplines are analysed, principally in the light of the growing importance of data-intensive research, taking into consideration that there is a tension about the academic status of these disciplines.

Originality/value

The paper intends to be an add-on to the recent discussions and the evolving body of knowledge about the relationship of these disciplines with the hope of indicating a possible new direction in the development of LIS.

Citation

Koltay, T. (2016), "Library and information science and the digital humanities: Perceived and real strengths and weaknesses", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 72 No. 4, pp. 781-792. https://doi.org/10.1108/JDOC-01-2016-0008