Menadue, Christopher B. (2016) Through a lens, brightly: how the worldview of science fiction reflects the spirit of the age. In: [Presented at Digital Humanities@JCU, 2016]. From: Digital Humanities@JCU, November 3, 2016, James Cook University.

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Abstract

Digital tools can be used to investigate and analyse fictional literature. This presentation gives an example of how researchers can use readily available digital tools for the identification of content relevant to their research questions. In this example, this is applied to science fiction magazines, which are argued to feature and inclusive and wide-ranging scope which is uniquely suited for the investigation of human cultural history. This approach fits between specific and all-embracing methods of employing computers for the analysis of text since the 1980s. In this case, a corpus of 4,431 science fiction magazines of the twentieth century have been used as the data source, representing approximately 40% of the total professional science fiction magazine publishing of that era. The objective of using a digital approach is to reduce or remove selection bias in the identification of sources. This approach can be used to find evidence and examples for a range of multi-disciplinary purposes, ranging between traditional literature analysis and cultural history. As a source for creating insights into cultural and literary changes and movements, this approach may be less subjective than the available alternatives.

Item ID:	49606
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Keywords:	fiction, literature, methodology, digital humanities, science fiction, computer
Date Deposited:	02 Aug 2017 23:20
FoR Codes:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2002 Cultural Studies > 200299 Cultural Studies not elsewhere classified @ 40% 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2005 Literary Studies > 200599 Literary Studies not elsewhere classified @ 40% 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2005 Literary Studies > 200508 Other Literatures in English @ 20%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9599 Other Cultural Understanding > 959999 Cultural Understanding not elsewhere classified @ 20% 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970119 Expanding Knowledge through Studies of the Creative Arts and Writing @ 50% 95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9502 Communication > 950203 Languages and Literature @ 30%
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