Digital topics on cultural heritage investigated: how can data-driven and data-guided methods support to identify current topics and trends in digital heritage?

Abstract

In research and policies, the identification of trends as well as emerging topics and topics in decline is an important source of information for both academic and innovation management. Since at present policy analysis mostly employs qualitative research methods, the following article presents and assesses different approaches – trend analysis based on questionnaires, quantitative bibliometric surveys, the use of computer-linguistic approaches and machine learning and qualitative investigations. Against this backdrop, this article examines digital applications in cultural heritage and, in particular, built heritage via various investigative frameworks to identify topics of relevance and trendlines, mainly for European Union (EU)-based research and policies. Furthermore, this article exemplifies and assesses the specific opportunities and limitations of the different methodical approaches against the backdrop of data-driven vs. data-guided analytical frameworks. As its major findings, our study shows that both research and policies related to digital applications for cultural heritage are mainly driven by the availability of new technologies. Since policies focus on meta-topics such as digitisation, openness or automation, the research descriptors are more granular. In general, data-driven approaches are promising for identifying topics and trendlines and even predicting the development of near future trends. Conversely, qualitative approaches are able to answer “why” questions with regard to whether topics are emerging due to disruptive innovations or due to new terminologies or whether topics are becoming obsolete because they are common knowledge, as is the case for the term “internet”.

Digital social cultural heritage digital space study and exploration

“…As an important gathering place for youth forces and digital technology, colleges and universities, as an official functional agency, and museums as important carriers of cultural heritage. The three closely cooperate and communicate and concentrate their strengths to do major issues, further enhancing the research level in the digitalization of cultural heritage, which can advance the digitalization of cultural heritage [14].…”

Query Model Framework Design for Conservation History and Endowments Database: A Case Study on the Digitization of the Sumedang Larang Kingdom’s History and Endowments in Indonesia

“…The DAQMP for the information system of preservation history and endowments is to create a recurring query model from the original tabular data to the next specified data specification table containing important data [64]. The specifications of this table will be checked through a check table that was created according to the previous data specification, but using the new data input of the verification results, then performing a join query to see the data similarity [65]. If there are differences, then analysis and investigation must be carried out and documented, and the data must be stored in a new table as findings.…”

Modern Interpretation of Banjarese Traditional House Design: A Case Study of Bubungan Tinggi’s Model

“…By combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary techniques, new and exciting possibilities can be explored in creating products that are both rooted in heritage and relevant to modern lifestyles. This fusion of tradition and modernity can help preserve cultural heritage while adapting to changing times (Ronja, 2021). It also allows for the continuation of traditional skills and knowledge in a contemporary context, ensuring their relevance and sustainability for future generations.…”