Significant Features of Thematic Research Collections

摘要

In order to support innovative scholarship, digital library development must be informed by an understanding of new modes of scholarly production. This paper considers an emergent genre of scholarly publication in the humanities: the digital thematic research collection. While thematic research collections have grown in number and academic significance over the past decade, and this is reflected in the literature on scholarly practice, we do not have a definitive grasp on this exciting phenomenon. What significant features distinguish thematic research collections as a mode of scholarly production? This paper describes a pilot study conducted as part of a project investigating the significant features of thematic research collections. A stronger understanding of thematic research collections will contribute to evolving scholarly evaluation processes for tenure and promotion and the advancement of digital libraries to support new modes of research.