Digital reconstruction in historical research and its implications for virtual research environments

Abstract

This articles deals with (digital) reconstruction in historical research and reflects on the use of digital methods within the research cycle. For historians, reconstructions of varying degree, detail and focus are an invaluable research tool. We argue that different stages of reconstruction result in different reconstructed objects, outlining the implications in terms of publication, citation practices and the research cycle. The paper contends that these aspects need to be reflected in virtual research environments. The process of reconstruction needs to become transparent revealing the parameters of the different stages that resulted in the reconstructed product.