Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 December 2025
This chapter defines data-intensive research in the context of the English language and explores its prospects. It argues that data intensiveness extends beyond a single digital method or the use of advanced statistical tools; rather it encompasses a broader transformation and fuller integration of digital tools and methods throughout the research process. We also address the potential pitfalls of data fetishism and over-reliance on data, and we draw parallels with the digital transformation in another discipline, specifically biosciences, to illustrate the fundamental changes proposed as a result of digitalization. The lessons learned from other fields underscore the need for increased multi- and interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of broader digital infrastructures. This includes investments in enhanced computing power, robust data management processes, and a greater emphasis on replicability and transparency in reporting methods, data, and analytical techniques.
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