Library & Information Research: Humanities English 292 / University 292 | Spring 1999 | K. Brodsky

Humanities Research

What is Humanities Research?

The Humanities disciplines are a vital part of the intellectual and creative history of humankind. The study of the Humanities disciplines such as literature, philosophy, language, art history, ethics, etc. is an ancient tradition of inquiry, dating back as early as the 5th century BC. The Humanities are said to consist of "those branches of knowledge that concern themselves with human beings and their culture or with the analytic and critical methods of inquiry derived from an appreciation of human values and of the unique ability of the human spirit to express itself." Therefore, Humanities research is a serendipitous path of discovery crossing many disciplines and time periods.

The library is said to be the humanists laboratory. Research in the Humanities can be described as being concerned with "the individual and the thoughts, imagination, achievement, creativity, performance, and impact of the individuals. There is a concern for culture and for all kinds of human behaviors that produce cultural artifacts. And perhaps all these concerns are framed by the larger concern for values, for quality, and for expression."

Humanities research is not quantifiable, but rather it is the creation of informed opinions that are unique, individual interpretations based on a fine meshing of personal observation with a keen understanding of actual fact. The Humanities differ from other academic disciplines because the emphasis is not on data but rather emphasis is on the human understanding and meaning put into context of the world.

What are Characteristics of Humanities Researchers?

Humanities researchers and scholars are a unique breed. The Humanities researcher, while sharing some similar characteristics with researchers in other disciplines, is a very different researcher than the biologist, for example. Numerous studies have been conducted which explore the different research habits of people from various disciplines. Inevitably, these studies shed light on the unique research habits of the Humanist. Here is a sampling of some of those findings.

In general, the Humanities researcher is:
• more likely to work alone.
• less likely to consult a librarian• more likely to rely on monographs over journals.
• more likely to be leery of computers (although this seems to be changing).
• more likely to use older materials.
• more likely to rely on browsing as a valid research methodology.
• more likely to use a wide time span of materials.

Problems Facing The Humanities Researcher.

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the Humanities, the Humanities researcher must be aware of a wide range of materials in various disciplines. Any inquiry into popular culture, for example, will necessitate the researcher look at a wide variety of sources, often "non-traditional" sources. The terms and language used to describe the Humanities can be an obstacle for many researchers. While library catalogs and some databases have controlled vocabularies, the nature of the Humanities disciplines and Humanities research lends itself to amorphous and ambiguous description. Access to materials can pose another obstacle for Humanities research. Primary sources can reside in special collections in public or private institutions or in private collections of individuals. The rarity and fragility of certain items might make actual usage of them impossible. The variety of media being used necessitates having the equipment and space to examine them. Further, primary sources might be located anywhere in the world. Therefore, while it might be easy to study reproductions, reprints, and general facsimiles, it might be quite difficult to study the primary item(s).

Why Should You Care?

It is important to be aware of the characteristics of and the problems facing the Humanities researcher when planning your own research project. To be aware of certain research traits will not only validate your personal research style, but might also make you aware of research skills you can further develop to aid in your discovery and successful search. For example, it has been observed that Humanities researchers are not as apt to solicit ongoing assistance from a librarian. Indeed your inclination might be not to seek assistance. But by breaking from such a typical trait and actually asking a librarian for help, you might find additional information from sources you otherwise might not have discovered. By understanding some of the obstacles facing Humanities researchers and obstacles in conducting Humanities research, you can better plan your research strategy.

References

Couch, Nena and Nancy Allen. The Humanities and The Library. Chicago : ALA, 1993.
"Humanism." The New Encyclopedia Britannica: Macropaedia. 15th ed. 1998.
The New Encyclopedia Britannica: Micropaedia. 15th ed. 1998.