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Component
4 - Conduct an interview
- Give,
on tape, a general introduction to the interview. Include the
location, date, names of interviewee and interviewer, name of
the project, and a brief statement of purpose.
- An
oral history interview is not a general dialogue. The purpose
of the interview s to listen to what the interviewee has to say
and to stimulate the narrative with understanding comments and
intelligent questions.
- Ask
open-ended questions first, waiting to see where they lead. Tailor
your reactions and follow-up questions to the responses of the
interviewee. Pursue in detail.
- Avoid
too much "preordering" of the material you wish to include
in the interview. Be prepared to let the train of memory association
run its course, even if it means ignoring your outline to follow
new avenues of inquiry.
- You
may wish to jot down a few notes as the interviewee is talking,
but be careful not to let this disrupt the flow of what she/he
is saying. You can go back at a later time and ask for clarification
of information that may have been confusing.
- Eye
contact and a pattern of concentrated listening are vital to the
oral history interview.
- The
interview setting is not the time to air your personal views on
international politics or to tell your own life story. Participate
in the interview by means of silent encouragement-- nods, smiles,
et cetera--short phrases of understanding and pertinent questions.
- Be
aware of the interviewee's race and class background and of culturally
determined characteristics. Avoid assumptions.
- Do
not feel compelled to interrupt silences. Give the interviewee
time to fully answer each question or finish her/his train of
thought. Silence is an integral, important part of the oral history
interview process.
- Do
not challenge accounts that you think may be inaccurate.
- Give
the interviewee a chance to think through difficult subjects.
- If
the interviewee strays into non-pertinent subjects, steer her/him
gently, but firmly, back to the topic at hand by asking a question.
However, avoid statements about "staying on subject."
- Try
to avoid "off the record" information by switching the
recorder off and on. Assure the interviewee that sensitive information
may be restricted.
- Ninety
minutes is a good average length for an interview. Both interviewing
and being interviewed are tiring, and concentration spans diminish
if the interview is too lengthy.
- Make
sure that the interviewee has signed a release
for the interview. The interviewer must also sign a release form
in most projects
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