CONDUCTING ORAL INTERVIEWS

Guidelines provided by Charles Redd Center BYU

OBJECTIVE:  To obtain accurate historical information
from those who lived it

List the names of the people you will be interviewing:
 
 

I.  PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW
 A.  Do background research
         1.  Read the historical documents related to topic
         2.  Review local histories
         3.  Read personal histories about the person
         4.  Talk to people who know the interviewee
         5.  Be aware of general historical trends

 B.  Practice using tape recorder
        1.  Check best volume
        2.  Know how to operate to avoid problems
        3.  Practice interviewing by role-playing with a friend if you’re nervous about it

 C.  Schedule an interview
        1.  Make your initial contact short
        2.  Tell them who you are and the information you need
        3.  Do not let them start to tell stories on the phone
        4.  Mention, but do not stress that you will tape the interview
        5.  Make the appointment as soon as possible after 1st contact

II.  RECORD THE INTERVIEW PROPERLY
 A. Use good equipment, a reliable recorder
          1. Use good quality cassette, or reel-to-reel.
          2. Use a high quality microphone. Built-ins don't pick up voices well
          3.  Use 60 minute good quality tapes; 90 minute bleed through
          4.  Don't tape over old tapes
          5.  Take an extension cord

 B.  Arrange the physical setting
          1.  Select a quiet place
          2.  Close all windows and doors.  Turn off fans, TV, etc.
          3.  Do not have other people in the room
          4.  Do a preliminary test to make sure everything is working.

III.  UTILIZE GOOD INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES
 A.  Begin soon after arriving
         1. Do not begin by looking at scrapbooks, photographs
         2.  Don't let them start before recorder is on.

 B.  Record a brief introduction giving 5 pieces of information:

  1.  Identify interviewee, interviewer
  2.  State the date and location
  3.  State the topics to be discussed
  4.  Ask interviewee for birth date, year married, year(s), if appropriate – dates that will help tie down memories of specific places and events.  Ask questions during interview that will also help –e.g., Was that before or after you went to college?  Was that before or after you served in WW II?

 C.  Begin the interview with an open-ended question that the person will feel comfortable with and can discuss at some length  Example:  Tell me about . . .

  1.  Do not interrupt during the 1st response, even if they miss important
   information.
  2.  Make notes on paper, to clarify later
  3.  Demonstrate strong interest
          a. Maintain eye contact
          b.  Nod, gurgle, or show by facial expressions interest
  4.  If interviewee pauses, do not ask a new question immediately
          a.  He may be gathering thoughts
          b.  Encourage him to go on, nodding
          c. Ask follow-up questions to clarify, or solicit information
 5.  Ask open-ended questions as necessary during the interview, but remember to focus on specific information needed.  Questions that elicit specifics often begin with: “what, how, why, tell me about
 6.  Write down 4-5 open ended questions you could ask to refocus the interview.  (Have question list with you)
7.  Change tapes during an interesting story, not between stories.  This reduces
 chance that interviewee will decide he has talked long enough.
8.  When finished have them sign the permission sheet, and tell them you will return with a copy for them to read and correct.

IV.  AFTER THE INTERVIEW
 A.  Label both sides of the cassette and the case (pass around tapes)
       1.  List full name of interviewee
       2.  Tell who did the interview
       3.  Include date and location of interview
       4.  List the topic of the interview: i.e. Cottonwood Uranium Mining

 B.  Listen to the interview and make a numbered index of interview
       Example: #1-45 Remedy for open sores: pine gum salve
                        #46-102 Story of log cabin quilt
                        #103-155 Story about midwives
 C.  Decide what sections would be most valuable to transcribe, identify these
 D.  Take the tape, and permission to use form to teacher, he/she will get it to a transcriber
 E.  After it is transcribed they will call you to take a copy back to the interviewee for editing
 F.  Make arrangements as to when you will pick it up, then return it to teacher, and he/she will make any other corrections needed, and return it to the transcriber.  Once it is in final form you will be called, and you can take a final copy back to the informant.