Download - Oral History in the Digital Age
Oral Historyin the
Digital AgeRick Shriver
Ohio University2013
What is oral history?The recorded interview, archived as a whole
Once viewed as a supplement to the written history Documenting how historical events affect individuals
A way to document aspects of history that are neglected
A way to document history of minority populations Where written tradition may not exist
Now more often viewed as a “primary source” for historical research (like photos, letters, etc.)
Why oral history?The erosion of the written tradition
Less diary keeping, journalizing, letter-writing, preservation
Written form may not capture the nuance and the emotion
Helps young people overcome “historical amnesia”by stimulating interest in historical events
Younger audiences prefer to consume media content is “small doses,” for which oral history is well-suited
Can show the significance of an event on subcultures
Crafted oral historyThe crafted oral history focuses the content on specific events or specific topics
The interview is directed rather than free from
Combined interviews can be edited “documentary style”
Can show the accumulated significance of events on given populations or individuals
PreparationUnderstanding oral history
Learning interview skills
Learning the equipment
Researching the local history
Research ethics and obtaining informed consent
Informed consentAmerican Psychological Association, 2010the purpose of the research, expected duration, and procedures; their right to decline to participate and to withdraw from the research once participation has begun; the foreseeable consequences of declining or withdrawing; reasonably foreseeable factors that may be expected to
influence their willingness to participate such as potential risks, discomfort, or adverse effects; any prospective research benefits; limits of confidentiality; incentives for participation; and whom to contact for questions about the research and research participants' rights.”
InterviewingDeveloping the “central research question”
Seeking to bring a variety of perspectives to a common occurrence
Asking open-ended questions, allowing the subjects to talk freely, but bringing back to topic if
needed
Monitoring interview fatigue, signs of stress
Photographing the interviewee and relevant materials
The technologyThe digital recorder
.WAV files
44,100 Hz
16-bit
The outcomeFull un-edited interviews for archive
Edited crafted oral history focusing on the subject
Photographs
A “video” documentary
Attitudinal change in students