Issues Surrounding the Creation and Use of Databases in the Sociology of Art and Culture

This article discusses some of the issues related to the creation and use of databases in research projects in the field of the sociology of art and culture. Using three concrete examples from the history of books ("Base de donnees des metiers du livre au Quebec"), the sociology of art ("Base des prix artistiques au Quebec dans l'entre-deux-guerres"), and literary studies ("Base de donnees sur les figurations romanesques de la vie litteraire aux xix et xx siecles"), it explores questions arising from the use of databases in these specific cases, as well as other potential applications. The article also offers general reflections on the development and standardization of databases in these fields. Adapted from the source document.