How can you conduct engaging oral history interviews for historical research?

1 Choose your interviewees

The first step in conducting oral history interviews is to identify and select your interviewees. Depending on your research topic and goals, you may want to interview people who have direct experience, knowledge, or involvement in a specific historical event, period, or issue. Alternatively, you may want to interview people who represent a broader social, cultural, or demographic group or perspective. You should also consider the availability, accessibility, and willingness of your potential interviewees, as well as the diversity and balance of your sample. You can find interviewees through various sources, such as archives, libraries, museums, community organizations, online platforms, or personal contacts.

2 Prepare your questions

The next step is to prepare your questions for the interview. You should design your questions based on your research objectives, the background and context of your interviewee, and the type and length of the interview. You should aim to ask open-ended, neutral, and clear questions that encourage your interviewee to share their stories, opinions, and feelings. You should also avoid leading, biased, or loaded questions that may influence or offend your interviewee. You can use different types of questions, such as introductory, follow-up, probing, or closing questions, to structure your interview and elicit more information. You should also prepare a consent form and an interview guide that outline the purpose, scope, and format of the interview, as well as the rights and responsibilities of both parties.

3 Set up the interview

The third step is to set up the interview with your interviewee. You should contact your interviewee in advance and explain the purpose and process of the interview. You should also ask for their permission to record the interview and use the data for your research and teaching. You should arrange a suitable time, date, and location for the interview, taking into account the convenience, comfort, and privacy of your interviewee. You should also prepare the equipment and materials you need for the interview, such as a recorder, a microphone, a camera, a notebook, a pen, and a copy of the consent form and the interview guide.

4 Conduct the interview

The fourth step is to conduct the interview with your interviewee. You should arrive early and check the equipment and the environment. You should greet your interviewee warmly and thank them for their participation. You should also review the consent form and the interview guide with them and answer any questions they may have. You should then start the recording and begin the interview. You should follow your interview guide but also be flexible and responsive to your interviewee's cues and interests. You should listen actively and attentively to your interviewee and show respect and empathy. You should also ask appropriate questions and prompts to facilitate the conversation and clarify any misunderstandings or ambiguities. You should end the interview by thanking your interviewee again and asking if they have anything else to add or share.

5 Analyze the interview

The fifth step is to analyze the interview and extract the relevant and meaningful information for your research and teaching. You should transcribe the recording and review the transcript carefully. You should also check the accuracy and completeness of the transcript and make any necessary corrections or annotations. You should then code and categorize the transcript according to your research themes, questions, and objectives. You should also identify and interpret the patterns, trends, and insights that emerge from the data. You should also compare and contrast the data from different interviews and sources and evaluate the reliability, validity, and significance of the data.

6 Share the interview

The final step is to share the interview and the results of your analysis with your audience, whether it is your students, colleagues, or the public. You should present the interview and the data in a way that is engaging, informative, and respectful. You should also acknowledge and credit your interviewee and their contributions. You should also consider the ethical and legal implications of sharing the interview and the data, such as the confidentiality, anonymity, and consent of your interviewee, as well as the copyright and ownership of the material. You should also seek feedback and input from your audience and your interviewee on your presentation and interpretation of the interview and the data.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?