Can a Science—Humanities Collaboration Be Successful?

Abstract

Using our interdisciplinary research collaboration as a case study, we discuss the question of whether formal modeling and empirical approaches can be successfully integrated into a single line of research. We argue that to avoid an undesirable disconnect between the two, one needs considerable time and patience for a science—humanities collaboration to bear fruit. In our collaboration and, we believe, in science—humanities collaborations in general, certain shared goals are required for success, including: starting with simple models before moving to more complex models; the importance of continually comparing models with empirical data where possible; and a focus on explaining statistical patterns rather than accounting for single data points individually.