“What I’ve Learned About Oral History Projects”

Making History Public Workshop

April 10, 2014

Scottsboro, AL

Image URL: http://www.adventisthistory.org/wp-

content/uploads/2014/02/oral-history.jpg

Seven Steps For a Successful Project

1. Devise a Central Question or Articulate an Issue

2. Plan the Project

3. Conduct Background Research

4. Conduct the Interviews

5. Process the Recordings

6. Evaluate the Process and Correct Course as Needed

7. Archive all Materials

Image URL: http://www2.baylor.edu/baylorproud/wp-

content/uploads/2014/03/audio-mar14.jpg

Devise a Central Question or Articulate an Issue

• Establishes Project Boundaries

• Focuses Resources

• Broad or Narrow are Equally Legitimate

Image URL: http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/bdF7WOZ_uY8/0.jpg

Plan the Project

• Consider Available Resources• Funds

• Personnel

• Time

• Equipment• Video or Audio?

• Analog or Digital?

• Informed Consent

• Create a List of Topics or Questions• Guidelines, not mandatory or rigid

Image URL: http://static.squarespace.com/static/50d0a18de4b07abde41656e7

/t/5244e201e4b0d312c809ea84/1380246031204/darija.jpg

Conduct Background Research

• Know Basic Chronology

• Know Basic Events

• Understand Basic Concepts About Topics

• Understand Contexts

• Conduct Preliminary Interviews as needed

Image URL: http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-

new/ehow/images/a01/ul/p6/do-research-800x800.jpg

Conduct the Interviews

• Contact and Prepare Narrators

• Make Appointment for a Quiet, Comfortable Place

• Do a Practice Run

• Know Your Equipment

• Take EVERYTHING You Might Need With You

• Treat the Recorder Like a Third Person in the Room

• Understand Your Interview Will Not Sound Like One On Radio or TV

• Script the Introduction for Names, Place, Time, and Consent

Image URL: http://sites.uci.edu/vaohp/files/2011/12/DSCN0146.jpg

Process the Recordings

• Transcribe or Index?

• Allow the Narrator to Edit or Not?

• NEVER Present the Raw Transcript to the Narrator

• Ensure Accurate Completion of all Project Documentation

Image URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/styles/ual-large-16-9/public/AZ%20397.jpg?itok=daatHZso

Evaluate the Process and Correct Course as Needed

• Continuous Quality Improvement

• Evaluate Performance After Each Interview

• Evaluate Components of Project Periodically

• Make Corrections, Tweak Components

• Press On

Image URLhttp://core0.staticworld.net/images/article

/2014/02/on-target-100246825-orig.png

Archive all Materials

• Arrange with a Repository EARLY

• Provide all Documents, Completed

• Releases and Gift Agreements are VITAL

Image Courtesy The Wiregrass Archives