Oral History Interview & Importance Part 12

How to Start an Interview

A good and coordinated start is a must for an interview. It is not far from logic to say that this step is the cornerstone and any negligence and default will result in a weak and inconsistent content which is of no use. Undoubtedly, having a written checklist of things to be done is an effective and reassuring step which will help to avoid oblivion or negligence. Also, practicing the opening phase of an interview reinforces dominance and self-confidence of the interviewer and prepares him/her for the task ahead.

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 11

Pre-interview Justifications

It was stated in the previous notes that both parties to the interview should have sufficient knowledge about one another and a proper understanding of the interview subject. The interview shall not start unless there is sufficient knowledge and recognition. It is for this very reason that the project goals and subject and question limits shall be defined and proper agreement reached with the narrator prior to the interview. In fact, it is the duty of the interviewer to resolve any probable concern of the narrator which might affect the interview and its quality.

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 10

Interview Room

Interview, as a vital cultural activity with its science, art and historical aspects requires a proper location. News reports and media interviews might be conducted in various locations; one of the key aspects of such interviews is that they have to be conducted in the location where an incident has occurred or an event is going on or within its closest proximity. Hence, the environmental context in such interviews differs from oral history interview context.

Overview of Teaching Oral History

Considering that oral history is in its infancy in our country and the frequent studies conducted in this field around the world and in order to provide the oral history stakeholder with top technical knowledge, human resource training is the most feasible choice. On job training of active agents of oral history results in their empowerment, awareness and knowledge, change of attitude and eventually positively affects their behavior and performance. Mr. Abolfazl Hassan Abadi says: emerge of oral history in Iran has been based on need which has advocated trial and error method.

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 9

Presentation is vital

Presentation is vital in the interview and is another step of the way which affects the attitude of the narrator towards the scholar. Presentation in the first session is of higher importance since it builds the cornerstone for further dialogue; starting a good session with proper management entices the narrator to continue dialogue. This turning point has pre-requisites as listed below.

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 8

Required Equipment & Accessories

Oral history interviews require equipment & accessories and the scholar shall procure and prepare all such equipment prior to their departure for interview. In case of audio or visual interviews, proper and quality equipment shall be in hand. There are few considerations as follows:

Tone in Oral History

Another fried shared a memory. The memoirs of this friend is also published; however, I feel like the tone of the book was different. He was speaking smoothly but in the book it was as if a literary person was talking. One might think that the ambiance in the session resulted in such difference and it might be true; the story of the narrator shall be experienced under different circumstances to give a verdict.

How can we be a historiographer of oral history?

Concerning the responsibility to record important events of revolution and war etc., some of organization, institutions, offices, organs, communities, universities, foundation etc., tried to step admirably towards increasing knowledge and motivation, for capable and interested people by holding classes, training course, workshops, congress, magazine and book publication, making weblogs, groups, association etc., in which the efforts of art center were more notable. Regardless of efforts, the shortage of qualified human force is noticeable in this field; it causes fine and particular memoirs not to be unavailable for public and to be forgotten forever.

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 7

To Schedule & Coordinate an Interview

In oral history projects, interviews shall be scheduled and conducted upon preliminary coordination. If it is recognized that interview is the cornerstone of every oral history project, then time considerations and methods of conducting an interview are of critical importance. This requires communication and precise dialogue between the scholar and the narrator.

Systemic Approach in Oral History

Some say that theoretic discussions on oral history suit the academic elite and consider themselves the man of action. These individuals believe that it shall suffice to operate a recorder and a camera and be good in communication to become an oral history interviewer. This group argue that theoretic content of oral history belongs to academic studies or shall be presented as a scientific article in seminars and conferences or design science magazines! However, theoretic competence and believe in them is where oral history interviewers or oral history historiographers originate from.