Study title

Finnish Archaeological Finds Recording Linked Open Database: Interviews on User Needs 2018-2019

Dataset ID Number

FSD3486

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3486
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd3486

Data Type

Qualitative

Authors

• Wessman, Anna (University of Helsinki. Institute for Cultural Research)

Abstract

The dataset consists of interviews on user needs regarding the FindSampo database, which aims to foster collecting, sharing, publishing, and studying archaeological finds discovered by the public. FindSampo is being developed in the Finnish Archaeological Finds Recording Linked Open Database (SuALT) project, which aims to develop innovative solutions to respond to metal detecting and other non-professional encounters with archaeological material, applying semantic computing to "citizen science". The project is funded by the Academy of Finland. The dataset includes both individual and group interviews. 50 persons were interviewed in total.

Related survey data collected for the project before the interviews are also archived at FSD (dataset FSD3487 Finnish Archaeological Finds Recording Linked Open Database: Survey on User Needs 2018). The two datasets include some of the same respondents, but they cannot be connected between the datasets.

The interviewees discussed themes related to the development of the FindSampo database as well as metal detecting and "citizen science" more generally. Additionally, interviews conducted in Lapland include discussion on gold digging and the cultural status of the Sámi people. During the interviews, the participants were also shown two pictures of what the user interface of FindSampo would look like. Themes discussed during the interviews include, for instance, ease of use, utilising different kinds of maps, changing the language of the user interface, the search function, and the discussion forum. The interviewees' views on the validation of archaeological finds discovered by the public were also surveyed during the interviews.

Background information included the date of the interview and the gender and employment sector of the interviewee. The data were organised into an easy to use HTML version at FSD.

The dataset is only available in Finnish.

Keywords

archaeological objects; archaeology; development; hobbies; information services; museums

Topic Classification

• Humanities (Fields of Science Classification)
• Information society (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Cultural activities and participation (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Leisure, tourism and sport (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (C) available only for research including master's theses.

Data Collector

• University of Helsinki. Institute for Cultural Research

Collection Dates

2018-04-28 – 2019-11-22

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Archaeology enthusiasts and professionals in the museum sector in Finland

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

Non-probability: Purposive

Some interviewees communicated their willingness to participate in the interviews in connection with the survey conducted before the interviews. Additionally, the researcher contacted some occupational groups personally.

Collection Mode

Face-to-face interview

Face-to-face focus group

Summary

Research Instrument

Interview scheme and/or themes

Data Files

30 interviews in ODT format. Additionally, the data were organised into an easy to use HTML version and a CSV version.

Data File Language

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

Qualitative data are available in their original language only and are not translated.

Data Version

1.0

Related Datasets

FSD3487 Finnish Archaeological Finds Recording Linked Open Database: Survey on User Needs 2018

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

For two interviews, only the researcher's notes are available.

To prevent identification of participants, the researcher removed direct identifiers and strong indirect identifiers, such as organisation and location information, from the data. The data were further anonymised at FSD where necessary, and one interview was completely removed from the archived data due to identifiers. Changes made at FSD were marked with [[double square brackets]].

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Wessman, Anna (University of Helsinki): Finnish Archaeological Finds Recording Linked Open Database: Interviews on User Needs 2018-2019 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2021-08-05). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3486

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Other Material

See downloadable files at the top of the page.

More information about the Finnish Archaeological Finds Recording Linked Open Database (SuALT) project on the project's blog.

The blog contains information on, for instance, different parts of the project and the group of researchers, and a list of publications related to the project.

Related Publications

Wessman, Anna, Suzie Thomas, Ville Rohiola, Mikko Koho, Esko Ikkala, Jouni Tuominen, Eero Hyvönen, Jutta Kuitunen, Helinä Parviainen, Marianna Niukkanen. 2019. Citizen Science in Archaeology: Developing a Collaborative Web Service for Archaeological Finds in Finland. In J. Jameson and S. Musteata (eds) Transforming Heritage Practice in the 21st Century: Contributions from Community Archaeology. Springer. pp. 337-352