This poster presents findings from a recent survey of Ancient World researchers, which sought to identify research methods associated with the use and production of digital resources in general and with Linked Data in particular. It illustrates the results of the survey using graphs and charts, accompanied by a brief explanation of the methodology and my initial interpretation of these findings. Results are suggestive of a possible conflict between producer aims and user needs.

The survey formed part of a current PhD project to explore where Linked Data might best be integrated with existing research methods. To ensure consistent classification of research methods identified during the survey, I incorporated the Taxonomy for Digital Research Activities in the Humanities (TaDiRAH) – an ontology describing research methods, techniques and information resources. The survey took place in spring 2018 and received 212 responses from Ancient World researchers in 32 countries, with a broad spread of age ranges and good gender balance.

Findings indicate that while there are similarities between the methods that participants associated with their use of digital resources in general and Linked Data in particular, there is a possible disconnect with research methods associated with the production of Linked Data resources. Specifically, users tend to be most interested in search and discovery functionality, while producers appear to focus primarily on contextualisation. Future work will include interviews with a sample of participants to explore survey responses in more detail, with the eventual aim of producing a series of recommendations for how Linked Data resources can be made more useful and usable.