The objective of the project "AHDS Projects and Method Database (prototype)" is to establish a pilot database recording information on current and recent ICT-based research in the arts and humanities across the UK. The database will provide extensive information on ICT-related methodologies including usage of technologies, data creation methodologies, employment of metadata standards, or usage of formats.

By drawing up an overview of how ICT is currently being used in the arts and humanities, the project aims to

* enable future researchers to refine their methodologies by drawing on past experiences, and to share expertise by locating others using related methodologies
* assist the AHDS in planning and prioritising its support services and development processes
* provide a useful planning resource for other bodies such as the JISC Content and Services and Development Groups or the Preservation Focus
* act as a key source of information for the proposed AHRB ICT Methods Network (external link).

The project will run for one year (January 2004 - December 2004), and works in close conjunction with the [AHRB ICT in Arts and Humanities Research Programme] (external link). For further information on the project, please contact

Reto Speck; Tel: 020 7848 1974; Email: --firstname.lastname@ahds.ac.uk--.

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The first, prototype phase of this project has been completed in January 2005. Additional funding could be secured from the [Arts and Humanities Research Board] to extend the developed prototype and to make it available to all interested parties by developing a fully searchable online database. More information on this second part of the project can be found on the [AHDS Projects and Method Database (extension) homepage] .

The main outcomes of the first, prototype phase of the project were:

* Development of a data-model for the Methods Database.
* Development of a comprehensive, structured taxonomy of computational methods that serves as a controlled vocabulary for the gathering, organising and disseminanting of information on methods employed by projects.
* Population of the developed prototype database with data on AHRB-funded research projects obtained from the AHRB ICT in Arts and Humanities Research Programme (external link). In the present, second part of the project the content of the database is gradually being enhanced with information obtained from research projects themeselves.

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* Data-model for prototype database PDF document, 203KB | RTF document, 9,276KB
* AHDS taxonomy of computational methods PDF document, 182KB | RTF document, 334KB
* Project Plan PDF document, 81KB | RTF document, 343KB
* Project Progress Report 1 PDF document, 65KB | RTF document, 104KB
* Project Progress Report 2 PDF document, 102KB | RTF document, 121KB
* Project Progress Report 3 PDF document, 113KB | RTF document, 131KB
* Project Completion Report PDF document, 157KB | RTF document, 131KB

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