Oral history workshop.
Yung, Judy
Drawing from thirty years of experience as a practitioner and
teacher of oral history, Judy Yung provided the nuts and bolts of
conducting an oral history interview with a Chinese American. As she
said, of utmost importance is preparation--having a sense of purpose and
specific objectives for the interview, doing the necessary background
research on the person and topic, preparing a list of questions
beforehand, and making sure equipment to be used is in good working
order.
It is best to interview people in their homes and alone, to show
good manners by bringing a gift or some refreshment to the interview,
and to ask permission to tape the interview. Some basic tips on
conducting the interview include:
* Establish trust and rapport by being pleasant, attentive, and
respectful.
* Ask open-ended and clear questions one at a time, be flexible
with your line of questioning, and be on your toes to ask follow-up
questions.
* Do not dominate the conversation; give the person time to
respond.
* Jot down notes in regard to dates, names, places, and questions
you want to pursue later.
* Plan on a two-hour interview, but end the interview whenever the
person appears tired. Then arrange for a second interview if necessary.
* Use photos, artifacts, and hearsay to spark memories.
* Have the person sign a consent form at the end of the interview
if you intend to publish or share the interview with the public.
Soon after the interview, listen to the tape with follow-up
questions in mind, and transcribe the interview according to guidelines
provided in oral-history manuals. Provide the interviewee with an
opportunity to review and correct the transcript. Consider depositing
the transcript in an oral history archive for the use of other
researchers. Jot down your impressions of the interview situation and
key revelations from the interview.
In conclusion, keep the following ethical issues and cautions in
mind:
* An oral history is not a snapshot of the past but an
interpretation of it. Like any other historical source, an individual
account needs to be critiqued and cross-checked for accuracy
* Oral history is the result of the interaction between two people.
Be aware of your effect as the interviewer on the outcome of the
interview, and be sensitive to the culture, emotions, and rights of the
interviewee.
* Do not take quotes out of context or misuse an interview for
personal gain, do not betray the trust of your informant, and be sure
that no one is hurt by the final product.
* Give back to the interviewee or the community you are studying in
the form of financial returns or a copy of the final product.
For further reading, consult Valerie Yow, Recording Oral History: A
Practical Guide for Social Scientists and Judy Yung, "Giving Voice
to Chinese American Women: Oral History Methodology," in Unbound Voices: A Documentary History of Chinese Women in San Francisco.
Judy Yung, PhD
