Oral History Interview & Importance Part 15

How to ask questions?

How to ask questions has always been an issue of concern for interviewers. Despite having tens of good questions in hand, some interviewers fail to ask them or to receive a proper response to their questions. Asking the question the wrong way or in no proper time might seriously affect the interview process. The following points have to be taken into consideration while asking questions: ...

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 14

Sample Query

Features and characteristics of a good query were discussed in the previous note. In this note, to offer further clarification and detailed discussion, samples of various types of queries and questions are provided. In this note, good queries are compared versus bad ones for the audience to be able to have a comparative study. There are occasions where multiple questions are to be asked to reach the intended response or answer.

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 13

Proper Query

In fact, interview is an opportunity to collect data and learn about the past and address the need of today and tomorrow and the interviewer is the mediator connecting the narrator to the audience. Interview is conducted based on communication techniques; however, communication is not the ultimate goal but accessing the data and information of the narrator. In such a process, the more precise and targeted the query, the more comprehensive the answers would be.

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.