Text Mapping as Modelling

What is modelling?

Universität zu Köln Digital Humanities – Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Informationsverarbeitung

Prof. Dr. Eide

What is a model? •  Science and scholarship

–  model of — descriptive –  model for — prescriptive

•  Different uses –  Mathematics: axiomatic system –  Art and fashion: model for artwork, photomodel –  Type: “the newest model”

•  From model of –  describe the world, e.g. seen from a museum

•  To model for –  make a museum documentation system

Universität zu Köln Universität zu Köln Digital Humanities – Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Informationsverarbeitung

Prof. Dr. Eide

Empirical model model of

Theoretical model

model for

modelled object created object

Generating knowledge

comparison calibration verification

comparison evaluation

Thanks to Oliver Nakoinz for inspiration

Modelling and simulation

Models are •  Made for a purpose •  Made by someone •  Subjective •  Abstractions •  Simplification of the modelled

–  remove information –  add information

•  Not neutral •  Similarity with original can be visual or abstract

Universität zu Köln Universität zu Köln Digital Humanities – Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Informationsverarbeitung

Prof. Dr. Eide

Possible purposes •  Understand reality •  Describe reality •  Communication •  Cognitive assistance •  Simplify complex things •  Experiments •  Simulation •  System development

Universität zu Köln Universität zu Köln Digital Humanities – Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Informationsverarbeitung

Prof. Dr. Eide

Model or modelling

•  Model –  the goal is a product – example: text encoding to make an edition

•  Modelling –  the goal is the process – example: text encoding to examine into

how the text can be modelled

Universität zu Köln Universität zu Köln Digital Humanities – Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Informationsverarbeitung

Prof. Dr. Eide

Types of models

•  Class models (object oriented) •  Entity-relationship models •  XML Schemata •  Ontologies •  Maps

Universität zu Köln Universität zu Köln Digital Humanities – Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Informationsverarbeitung

Prof. Dr. Eide

Modelling as research strategy

•  What are you making the model of? •  Why do you need a model? •  What would you like the model to help

you or others to find out? •  What will the model look like?

Universität zu Köln Universität zu Köln Digital Humanities – Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Informationsverarbeitung

Prof. Dr. Eide