Two Paths in Digital Literary Research: NovelTM and CWRC in Focus


When it comes to novel research and text mining issues, two Canadian powerhouses are leading the way: NovelTM and CWRC. While they’re both fascinating, they take pretty different approaches to studying writing in the digital age.

What Novel Research Can Reveal About Casino Narratives

Storytelling is at the heart of both literature and games. NovelTM’s focus on analyzing themes and narratives in text talk novels offers a unique perspective on how stories engage audiences. Similarly, casino games, especially themed slots, use storytelling elements to draw players into immersive experiences. From heroic quests to mystery adventures, these narratives keep players entertained while adding depth to the gaming experience.

Let’s look at how the collaborative methods used by CWRC and NovelTM can inspire innovations in the way online casinos build platforms and connect with users.

digital humanities

Intro to Two Digital Humanities Leaders

NovelTM dives deep into Text Mining the Novel, while CWRC built this amazing platform that’s changing how we study Canadian writing. The Novel Worlds Conference really showed what NovelTM can do, while CWRC keeps hosting workshops that bring researchers together at events like DH@Guelph.

Where It All Started

NovelTM started as this focused novel project at Universidad de McGill, with Andrew Piper bringing together experts like Richard Jean So and Hardik Vala. They got solid SSHRC funding and support from ComputeCanada to make it happen.

CWRC kicked off bigger, working from McGill geography to spread across Canada. They built this platform that now helps power everything from text talk novels studies to digital archives.

What NovelTM and CWRC Bring to Literary Research

NovelTM’s Work:

  • Runs deep data mining magazine analysis
  • Studies how Goodreads users interact with books
  • Published huge in the Journal of Data Mining and Digital Humanities
  • Created tools like “Text Analysis with R for Students of Literature”

CWRC’s Projects:

They’re way bigger than just novel txt studies. They work on:

  • Digital archives for novels for university students
  • Indigenous writing projects
  • LGBTQ+ history
  • Women’s writing through The Orlando Project
  • Local history collections

Quick Pros and Cons: NovelTM vs. CWRC

Both NovelTM and CWRC have made big strides in digital literary research, but they approach things in very different ways.

Here’s a quick look at what each initiative brings to the table – and where they might fall short. Whether you’re a researcher, student, or someone curious about digital humanities, this breakdown can help you see what makes these two projects tick.

NovelTM
CWRC
✓ Specialized in text mining issues, focusing on text talk novels and genre analysis.
✓ Wide-ranging projects, from Indigenous writing to LGBTQ+ archives.
✓ Innovative tools like Text Analysis with R for Students of Literature.
✓ Accessible to scholars, students, and the public through a user-friendly platform.
✓ Groundbreaking research published in journals like the Journal of Data Mining and Digital Humanities.
✓ Promotes inclusivity with projects like The Orlando Project and Her Story.
✓ Focused on computational literary studies, ideal for novel research.
✓ Long-term initiative fostering collaboration across Canada and internationally.
🗴 Narrow scope, limited to computational analysis of novels.
🗴 Broader scope can dilute focus on specific areas like novel research.
🗴 Less accessible for non-specialists or general public.
🗴 Complex platform may require more onboarding for new users.
🗴 Short-term project without ongoing updates or expansions.
🗴 Requires additional technical understanding for optimal use compared to specialized tools.

Advanced Analytics vs. Flexible Platforms

Both projects are key players in the Canadian Society for Digital Humanities (CSDH) – a national organization that brings together scholars using digital tools to study culture and literature. Through CSDH, these projects share their findings and tools with researchers across Canada.

NovelTM developed some really clever meta novel analysis tools. Andrew Giller helped build systems that could track how books spread between cultures. At their text analytics conference, they showed how these tools could map genres and study translations.

CWRC’s platform is different – it’s built for everyone. Catherine Lalonde Le Devoir covered how they’re making Canadian writing accessible to more people. They’re even upgrading to this new system called LEAF-VRE.

data mining

Working Together

NovelTM follows what Franco Moretti The Novel suggested – using computers to find patterns in literature. Their team meetings were like focused research labs.

CWRC builds these long-term partnerships. They work with libraries, universities, and cultural groups across Canada, hosting workshops that teach new research methods.

Target Audience: Who Benefits the Most?

NovelTM really speaks to scholars studying text mining issues. Their work helps:

  • Researchers analyzing novel patterns
  • Students learning digital methods
  • People tracking how books spread globally

CWRC casts a wider net. They help:

  • Writers documenting Canadian stories
  • Students exploring literature
  • Community groups preserving history
  • Anyone interested in Canadian culture

Making Room for Different Voices

NovelTM stayed focused but made sure to include diverse perspectives. At their text analytics conference, they looked at things like how race and gender show up in novels.

CWRC goes all out for inclusion:

  • Supports Indigenous writing
  • Preserves women’s stories
  • Documents LGBTQ+ experiences
  • Helps local communities tell their histories
  • Makes Canadian writing available to everyone

Different Styles, Same Goals

NovelTM took the deep dive approach. They used serious computing power to analyze thousands of novels. Their team members like Richard Jean So published groundbreaking research in the Journal of Data Mining and Digital Humanities.

CWRC built bridges. They connected libraries, universities, and cultural groups. When Catherine Lalonde Le Devoir wrote about them, she highlighted how they’re making Canadian literature more accessible.

The Big Picture

Both projects show what’s possible when the Canadian Society for Digital Humanities thinks big. NovelTM proved that computational analysis can reveal new things about novels. CWRC showed how digital tools can preserve and share our cultural heritage.

They’re different but complementary approaches. NovelTM digs deep into specific text mining issues, while CWRC creates space for all kinds of Canadian writing. Together, they’re helping build a richer understanding of our literary world.

Whether you’re a researcher using Text Analysis with R for Students of Literature or just someone who loves Canadian books, these projects are making it easier to explore and understand our stories. They’re proof that digital humanities can be both super smart and really accessible.