  Purpose: This article describes the interviews we conducted in late 2021 with
19 researchers at the Department of Classical Philology and Italian Studies at
the University of Bologna. The main purpose was to shed light on the definition
of the word "data" in the humanities domain, as far as FAIR data management
practices are concerned, and on what researchers think of the term.
Methodology: We invited one researcher for each of the official disciplinary
areas represented within the department and all 19 accepted to participate in
the study. Participants were then divided into 5 main research areas: philology
and literary criticism, language and linguistics, history of art, computer
science, archival studies. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using a
grounded theory approach. Findings: A list of 13 research data types has been
compiled thanks to the information collected from participants. The term "data"
does not emerge as especially problematic, although a good deal of confusion
remains. Looking at current research management practices, methodologies and
teamwork appear more central than previously reported. Originality: Our
findings confirm that "data" within the FAIR framework should include all types
of input and outputs humanities research work with, including publications.
Also, the participants to this study appear ready for a discussion around
making their research data FAIR: they do not find the terminology particularly
problematic, while they rely on precise and recognised methodologies, as well
as on sharing and collaboration with colleagues.
