ABSTRACT
Creating data models is the core of digital and computational work. Humanists make data models to extract specific features from the cultural record while ignoring others. Data are not given; they are made through interpretation. Every decision about their creation involves judgments about how information will be represented. Determining what can be quantified explicitly and what will require qualitative judgment is a crucial first step. The ethical creation of new data should be done with respect for privacy and liability issues. The use of existing data raises other concerns about accuracy and validity. Learning to read data models, understand ethical data practices, and develop data structures to suit research needs takes practice, but is central to digital humanities work.
