4.2 Oral history techniques and best practices

Oral history techniques offer a powerful way to uncover lost stories and give voice to overlooked perspectives. By recording first-hand accounts, researchers can fill gaps in the historical record and include diverse experiences, especially from marginalized groups.

While oral histories provide unique insights, they have limitations. Memory can be unreliable, and interviews may be influenced by bias. Researchers must use careful interviewing techniques and cross-reference oral accounts with other sources to ensure accuracy.

Value and Limitations of Oral History

Unique Perspective and Uncovering Lost Stories

Top images from around the web for Unique Perspective and Uncovering Lost Stories

• 

  The place they will be born: Mohawk midwives and mothers - Imperial Medicine Blog View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Uncovering Indigenous Stories at this “Place of Mind” - UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The place they will be born: Mohawk midwives and mothers - Imperial Medicine Blog View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Uncovering Indigenous Stories at this “Place of Mind” - UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Unique Perspective and Uncovering Lost Stories

• 

  The place they will be born: Mohawk midwives and mothers - Imperial Medicine Blog View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Uncovering Indigenous Stories at this “Place of Mind” - UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The place they will be born: Mohawk midwives and mothers - Imperial Medicine Blog View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Uncovering Indigenous Stories at this “Place of Mind” - UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Oral history involves collecting and preserving first-hand accounts, memories, and personal commentaries of historical significance through recorded interviews, providing a unique perspective on historical events by capturing the experiences and viewpoints of individuals who may have been excluded from mainstream historical narratives (Civil Rights Movement)
• Oral history can uncover previously unknown or overlooked stories, filling gaps in the historical record and providing a more comprehensive understanding of the past, allowing for the inclusion of diverse voices and experiences, particularly those of marginalized or underrepresented groups (LGBTQ+ community, indigenous peoples)

Limitations and Reliability Concerns

• Oral history has limitations, as it relies on the accuracy of individual memory, which can be influenced by factors such as time, emotions, and personal biases, with interviewees potentially having selective or distorted memories or being reluctant to share certain experiences (traumatic events, controversial topics)
• The reliability of oral history can be affected by the interviewer's skills, biases, and the nature of the questions asked, requiring interviewers to be aware of their own biases and strive to maintain objectivity throughout the interview process
• Oral history should be used in conjunction with other historical sources, such as written documents, to corroborate and contextualize the information gathered, making it essential to critically evaluate oral history accounts and cross-reference them with other available evidence (government records, newspaper articles)

Interviewing Skills for Oral History

Building Rapport and Active Listening

• Building rapport and trust with interviewees is crucial for eliciting candid and detailed responses, with interviewers creating a comfortable and respectful environment to ensure that interviewees feel at ease sharing their experiences (pre-interview conversations, empathetic approach)
• Active listening is essential during oral history interviews, requiring interviewers to give their full attention to the interviewee, using verbal and non-verbal cues to demonstrate engagement and encourage the interviewee to continue sharing their story (nodding, maintaining eye contact)
• Open-ended questions allow interviewees to provide detailed and nuanced responses, enabling them to share their experiences in their own words, while interviewers should avoid leading questions that may influence the interviewee's responses ("Can you tell me more about...?" instead of "Did you feel angry when...?")

Handling Sensitive Topics and Time Management

• Follow-up questions and probes can be used to clarify points, elicit additional details, or explore specific aspects of the interviewee's story, with interviewers being flexible and responsive to the interviewee's responses, adapting their questions as needed (asking for specific examples, requesting clarification)
• Interviewers should be prepared to handle sensitive or emotionally charged topics with empathy and respect, being aware of potential triggers and providing support or resources if necessary (offering breaks, having tissues available)
• Effective time management is important to ensure that all relevant topics are covered within the allotted time, with interviewers prioritizing questions and being mindful of the interviewee's energy levels and comfort throughout the interview (creating a flexible interview guide, checking in with the interviewee)

Ethical Practices in Oral History

Informed Consent and Confidentiality

• Informed consent is a fundamental ethical principle in oral history research, requiring interviewees to be fully informed about the purpose, scope, and intended use of the interview, as well as their rights as participants, including the right to withdraw from the study at any time
• Confidentiality and privacy of interviewees must be protected, with researchers discussing the level of anonymity desired by the interviewee and ensuring that personal information is securely stored and managed (using pseudonyms, secure data storage)
• Interviewers must respect the interviewee's autonomy and avoid coercion or undue influence, ensuring that interviewees participate voluntarily and are free to decline to answer any questions or end the interview at any point

Minimizing Harm and Maintaining Integrity

• Researchers have a responsibility to minimize potential harm to interviewees, both during and after the interview process, which includes being sensitive to the interviewee's emotional well-being and providing appropriate support or referrals if needed (mental health resources, debriefing sessions)
• Oral history researchers should strive for accuracy and integrity in their work, accurately representing the interviewee's story and context while avoiding misrepresenting or sensationalizing the information gathered
• Researchers should be transparent about their methods, biases, and limitations in their oral history work, providing clear documentation of their research process and making their findings accessible to the public (detailed research protocols, open access publications)

Analyzing Oral History Interviews

Transcription and Thematic Analysis

• Transcription involves creating a written record of the oral history interview, capturing the verbatim words spoken by the interviewee and interviewer, with accurate transcription being essential for preserving the integrity of the interview and enabling further analysis
• Transcripts should include relevant non-verbal cues, such as pauses, laughter, or emotional reactions, to provide context and convey the nuances of the interview, with timestamps or other markers used to facilitate navigation and reference specific sections of the interview
• Thematic analysis involves identifying and categorizing recurring themes, patterns, or topics that emerge from the interview data, with researchers looking for connections, similarities, and differences across multiple interviews to draw broader insights (experiences of discrimination, coping mechanisms)

Contextual and Linguistic Analysis

• Contextual analysis situates the interview content within the broader historical, social, and cultural context of the time period being studied, with researchers considering how the interviewee's experiences and perspectives relate to larger historical events, trends, or movements (Great Depression, World War II)
• Researchers should be attentive to the language, terminology, and narrative structures used by interviewees, as these can provide insights into their worldview, values, and cultural background, with linguistic analysis revealing hidden meanings or assumptions (use of dialect, metaphors)
• Oral history analysis should be an iterative process, with researchers continually revisiting and refining their interpretations as new insights emerge, being open to alternative explanations and seeking to corroborate their findings with other historical sources
• The insights gained from oral history analysis should be integrated into the broader historical narrative, contributing to a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the past, with researchers considering how oral history evidence complements, challenges, or expands existing historical knowledge (filling gaps, providing alternative perspectives)