This contribution discusses the evaluation steps and concerted efforts towards transparency and replicability taken during the development of the GeoNewsMiner[1] (Viola et al 2019 - GNM), an interactive app that maps and visualizes geographical references in historical immigrant newspapers. It describes how the goal of achieving transparency and replicability influenced the methodological decisions made in the process as well as the lessons learned from the experience. The overarching aim is to contribute to the methodological foundations of DH, arguing in favour of clearer explanations of methods and practices both to engage less technical scholars and to advance the field as a whole. [1] https://utrecht-university.shinyapps.io/GeoNewsMiner/