Zack Batist

I'm a final year PhD student exploring collaborative research practices among archaeologists and across the social sciences! Specifically interested in data sharing and open data practices, and the uptake of new tools that reconfigure knowledge production.

I also enjoy tinkering with digital things. Ask me about graph databases, qualitative data analysis, network analysis, text manipulation, and conceptual modelling!

#introduction #archaeology #STS

Nov 12, 2022 at 10:59pmWeb
Show threadAlessio PaonessaNov 13, 2022
Hi @zackbatist , I would like to enter the world of network analysis in archaeology too. What do you suggest for starting? Thank you!
Show threadZack BatistNov 13, 2022
@archexis You might want to read these two reviews: doi.org/10.1007/s10816-012-9133-8 & doi.org/10.1146/annurev-anthro-102116-041423
Show threadZack BatistNov 13, 2022
@archexis Many network analysis studies benefit from compiling a dataset with a proper scope for dealing with particular research questions (what kinds of relations can I draw, and what would they mean archaeologically speaking?), and with relatively consistent data collection parameters, which are not easy to accomplish. I failed in both these aspects while doing my MA thesis 😅
Show threadAlessio PaonessaNov 13, 2022
@zackbatist I’ll read them, thank you 😉
Show threadDavid Stuart Platt, PhDNov 13, 2022
@zackbatist Possibly a daft question but have you come across Isto Huvila's work on archaeology, archaeological reports, and "boundary objects"?
Show threadZack BatistNov 13, 2022
@smallfind Yes, I'm very familiar with his work! We collaborated as members of the e-curators project, and we both approach these issues with a science and technology studies mentality, which is becoming increasingly common among archaeologists
Show threadDavid Stuart Platt, PhDNov 13, 2022
@zackbatist Excellent. Stumbled across his earlier work while starting my MLIS & doing a course on "human information behavior." Extremely useful & eyeopening! Looking forward to reading your work on collaborative research practices!
Show threadDavid Stuart Platt, PhDNov 13, 2022
@zackbatist Actually ... have you found any of the work in the "LIS" field useful?
Show threadZack BatistNov 13, 2022
@smallfind I'm in a faculty of information but haven't taken many LIS courses. Sonnenwald's info horizon framework and Bates' berry picking model are interesting for gaining insight on how people perceive their info environments but I'm less on the LIS and more in the STS side, which looks at science as cultural practice and comprising series of norms and expectations that open and restrict the range of acceptable behaviours and practices, which effects what kind of knowledge is produced
Show threadZack BatistNov 13, 2022
@smallfind Knorr-Cetina's epistemic cultures, Bowker's science on the run, Suchman's plans and situated actions -- these are my core inspirations
Show threadDavid Stuart Platt, PhDNov 13, 2022
@zackbatist I digress slightly but, IIRC, Chirag Shah was working on collaborative information seeking online -- big into Reddit & Yahoo Answers etc. (Obviously not the same as archaeological research practices but my first thought when you mentioned "collaborative." Not sure if the associated lit would be any help.)
Anyway -- I'll shut up, now, before I make too much of a fool of myself online. I'm very much looking forward to reading your chapter!
Show threadZack BatistNov 13, 2022
@smallfind I will check him out!