Overview
[AI Summary]: This methodological article examines how network analysis has evolved from a social science metaphor into a powerful modeling and computational criticism tool for digital humanities research. The author traces network analysis development through three key stages: metaphor, model, and criticism, demonstrating its application through case studies including Paul Revere’s midnight ride, Song Dynasty intellectual networks, and modern Chinese women’s biographies. The article critically addresses AI-era challenges, arguing that while large language models can automate network generation, rule-based modeling remains essential for transparent, interpretable humanities research. The author advocates for combining traditional network analysis with AI tools specifically in the relationship extraction phase, emphasizing that computational criticism must prioritize human understanding and interpretability over automation.
- Author: Zhao Wei (赵薇)
- Year: 2025
- Affiliation: Institute of Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
- Publication: China Social Science Assessment (中国社会科学评价), Vol. 3, pp. 51-63
- Language: Chinese