Digital Humanities and the Transformation of Scholarly Practice: An Empirical Investigation of Methodological Integration and Knowledge Production

Abstract

This study examines the integration of digital methods into humanities scholarship, investigating how computational approaches are transforming research practices, knowledge production, and disciplinary boundaries. The research employed a mixed methods design combining bibliometric analysis of 4,267 digital humanities publications, surveys of 486 humanities scholars, and in-depth interviews with 64 researchers actively engaged in digital scholarship. The study assessed adoption patterns of digital methods across humanities disciplines, examined the relationship between digital tool use and research outcomes, and explored tensions between computational and traditional interpretive approaches. Findings reveal substantial growth in digital humanities scholarship with distinct patterns across disciplines, with literary studies and history showing highest adoption rates. Quantitative analysis demonstrates that digitally-engaged scholars produce more collaborative and interdisciplinary work, though citation impact varies by methodology and field. Qualitative data illuminate ongoing negotiations between computational and hermeneutic traditions, with successful integration requiring both technical proficiency and deep humanistic expertise. The research identifies institutional factors supporting digital scholarship development and barriers impeding wider adoption. Results contribute to understanding of how digital transformation is reshaping humanities research and offer implications for graduate training, institutional support structures, and disciplinary evolution.