Does there exist a historical-critical study ("Higher Criticism") of Buddhists’ texts?

I am in search for some academic work on critical methods to analyze Buddhists’ texts. There exist numerous jātakas and avadānas. Many representations in Buddhist art visualize these legends. E.g. Maya’s dream about the white elephant with his six tusks, or several reliefs at the gateways of Sanchi. I assume that most of these stories are fiction. Therefore my question: • Do these texts or figural representations raise any truth claim? • If yes: Which claim? How can one validate the truth claim? • Which groups and which interests triggered the texts and their dissemination? Is there someone to recommend some academic papers from Buddhist or secular authors about the historical-critical study of the content of Buddhist texts? Or point to some journals devoted to the subject? Note. My question relates to https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/44173/is-this-forum-a-place-for-buddhist-hermeneutics