Guide to Oral History Interviews and Qualitative Fieldwork: Recording Interviews

Recommended Tools for Recording

Recording high-quality audio is essential for oral history and qualitative fieldwork. While video can enhance interviews, audio-only recordings are often the standard due to their ease of long-term storage, transmission, and preservation. Below is a guide to the recommended tools and equipment to achieve high-quality results without requiring professional broadcast-level setups.

1. Primary Audio Recording Devices

For oral history and fieldwork, a reliable and high-quality audio recording device is crucial. Aim for devices that balance professional sound quality with affordability and ease of use.

• Recommended Devices:

  • Tascam DR-40X: A solid, affordable option with dual XLR inputs and high-quality built-in microphones, suitable for most fieldwork needs.
  • Zoom H4n Pro or Zoom H5: Compact, user-friendly devices with excellent sound quality, offering the flexibility of built-in and external mic inputs.

• Key Features to Look For:

  • Audio Quality: Look for devices that record at 48 kHz and 24-bit depth, which ensures archival-grade audio.
  • Ease of Use: Devices should have intuitive controls for quick adjustments in the field.
  • Power Options: Battery-operated devices with USB charging capabilities are ideal for long sessions.

2. Backup Recording Devices

Always use a backup device to safeguard against technical failures. Backups don’t need to match the quality of your primary recorder but should still capture clear audio.

• Options for Backup:
  • A smartphone with a recording app (e.g., Rev, Voice Recorder, or Otter.ai) combined with an external microphone like the RØDE SmartLav+.
  • A laptop with a USB microphone such as the Audio-Technica ATR2100x or Blue Yeti.
  • A second portable recorder, like the Zoom H1n, which is compact and affordable.

3. Additional Equipment

To optimize your recordings, consider the following:

• Microphones:

  • For external mic setups, the Audio-Technica AT2020 or RØDE NTG2 offers excellent quality at a reasonable price.
  • Choose a shotgun or lavalier mic for video interviews or when recording in noisy environments.

• Storage Media:

  • Use SD cards with at least 200 MB/s read and write speed (labeled "UHS-I" or "Pro" quality).
  • Choose cards with 64–128 GB capacity to store multiple long-form interviews (each hour of uncompressed audio requires about 1 GB).

• Backup Batteries:

  • In fieldwork settings, access to electrical outlets may be limited. Carry spare batteries for your recording devices and microphones.
  • Consider rechargeable AA or AAA batteries and a portable battery pack for USB-charging devices.

• Cables and Adapters:

  • Always carry spare XLR cables or USB adapters for connecting microphones to recording devices.

• Headphones:

  • Use over-ear headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x or Sony MDR-7506 for monitoring sound during recording.

• Tripods or Stands:

  • For hands-free operation, use a mic stand or a tripod for mounted recording devices.

4. File Naming Schema

Using a consistent naming schema for your recordings helps ensure files are easily identifiable and organized for long-term use. Include forensic information such as the date, interviewer’s initials, and project name or number.

• Recommended Format: [ProjectName_YYYYMMDD_[InterviewerInitials]_[IntervieweeName/ID]_Interview.wav

  • Example: CacheValleyMemories_20241118_JK_RoseSmith_Interview.wav 
  • If working on multiple interviews in a day, add a sequence number: CacheValleyMemories_20241118_JK_RoseSmith_Interview_01.wav.

• Why It Matters:

  • Helps quickly locate specific recordings.
  • Ensures consistency across multiple team members or projects.
  • Facilitates archival storage and metadata creation.

5. Software for Recording and Editing

Recording software is essential for capturing audio directly on laptops or editing recordings after the session.

• Recommended Software:
  • Audacity: Free, open-source software for audio recording and editing, suitable for all levels of users.
  • GarageBand (Mac users): An intuitive option for recording and editing audio.
  • Adobe Audition: For advanced editing and sound clean-up.

6. Best Practices for File Storage and Backup

• Store Your Files in Three Places:

  1. Primary Storage: Save files on a secure external hard drive or the recorder’s SD card.
  2. Cloud Backup: Use a reliable cloud storage service (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) for offsite backup.
  3. Institutional or Physical Backup: Save copies in a long-term storage solution, such as a library server or institutional repository.

• Estimate Storage Needs:

  • An hour of 48 kHz/24-bit uncompressed WAV audio is approximately 1 GB.
  • For video recordings, an hour of HD video (1080p) requires about 10–15 GB.
  • Ensure devices have sufficient capacity for your planned sessions, ideally enough for 5–10 hours of recording per device.

• Check Storage Beforehand:

  • Clear SD cards and hard drives to maximize available space.
  • Label and organize storage media for easy retrieval.

Why These Tools Matter

Investing in the right tools ensures that your interviews are clear, well-preserved, and suitable for long-term archiving. By using high-quality yet accessible equipment, consistent file naming, and planning for contingencies like power outages and storage failures, you can ensure successful recordings in any setting.

Ethics of Recording Interviews

Ethical practices are central to conducting and recording interviews for oral history and qualitative fieldwork. Ensuring that participants' rights are respected and their contributions are preserved with integrity is vital. This section outlines key ethical principles, drawing on guidelines from the Oral History Association (OHA), American Folklife Center (AFC), and other reputable organizations, such as the Society of American Archivists (SAA), International Oral History Association (IOHA), and UNESCO Memory of the World Program.

1. Informed Consent

Informed consent ensures that participants fully understand the purpose of the project, how their interviews will be used, and their rights.

• Verbal Consent:

  • Before starting the recording, explain:
    • The project’s goals, scope, and intended outcomes.
    • Where and how recordings will be stored, accessed, and used (e.g., public repository, digital archive).
    • Participants’ rights to:
      • Decline to answer specific questions.
      • Withdraw at any point.
      • Request revisions or restrictions before the material is made public.
  • Document Verbal Consent:
    • At the start of the recording, include a statement such as:

"Today is [DATE]. I am [INTERVIEWER NAME], speaking with [INTERVIEWEE NAME] for the [PROJECT NAME] project. Do you consent to this interview being recorded, archived, and used as described?"

• Ensure the participant’s affirmative response is included in the recording.

• Written Consent and Release Forms:

  • Informed Consent Form: Outlines the project, participant rights, and options for restrictions or anonymity.
  • Interview Release Form: Grants permission to preserve and make the interview publicly accessible in a specific repository. May transfer copyright to the repository or retain it with the participant.
  • Use clear, jargon-free language and allow for flexibility in the participant’s preferences.

2. Privacy and Anonymity

• Respect participants’ requests for anonymity or restrictions on sensitive information.
• Be prepared to redact identifying details or impose embargo periods if requested.
• Use secure storage and transmission methods to protect sensitive recordings during and after the project.

3. Transparency and Reciprocity

• Transparency:
  • Clearly communicate the potential uses of the recordings, such as academic research, public exhibits, or online publication.
  • Keep participants updated on the project’s progress and outcomes.
• Reciprocity:
  • Share copies of recordings or transcripts with participants.
  • Include participants or their communities in decisions about how their material will be used.
  • Highlight the importance of their contributions in project materials or acknowledgments.

4. Cultural Sensitivity and Community-Level Consent

• When working with specific cultural groups or Indigenous communities:
  • Follow cultural protocols and respect collective decision-making processes.
  • Obtain both individual and community-level consent when appropriate.
  • Recognize that oral histories often hold collective, not just individual, significance.

5. Power Dynamics

• Be mindful of power imbalances between the interviewer and participant.
• Use open-ended questions and adopt a listening role to allow participants to guide the narrative.
• Avoid coercion or leading questions, particularly when discussing sensitive topics.

6. Technical Ethics

• Secure Storage:
  • Use encrypted or password-protected devices and cloud storage for sensitive material.
• Backup Practices:
  • Store files in three separate locations:
    1. Primary Storage: Local hard drive or SD card.
    2. Offsite Backup: Secure cloud storage or an institutional repository.
    3. Physical Backup: External hard drive stored securely.
• File Naming Schema:
  • Use a consistent naming format that includes date, interviewer initials, project name, and interviewee name/ID:
    • Example: CacheValleyMemories_20241118_JK_RoseSmith.wav 

7. Video Recording Ethics

If video is included, consider additional ethical responsibilities:

• Gain explicit consent for video recording, as it is more intrusive than audio.
• Ensure participants are comfortable with how they appear and are represented.
• Be mindful of visual details that may unintentionally disclose sensitive information (e.g., location, belongings, or attire).

8. Long-Term Preservation and Access

• Repository Selection:
  • Deposit recordings in repositories equipped to ethically steward and preserve materials.
  • Ensure repositories align with the project’s goals and participants’ wishes.
• Ongoing Access:
  • Inform participants when recordings become publicly accessible and honor any embargo periods or restrictions.

Key Ethical Frameworks and Guidelines

• Oral History Association (OHA): Principles and Best Practices
• American Folklife Center (AFC): Fieldwork Guidelines
• International Oral History Association (IOHA): IOHA Resources
• Society of American Archivists (SAA): SAA Ethics and Values
• UNESCO Memory of the World Program: UNESCO Guidelines

Remote Interviews

Remote interviews have become an essential method for conducting oral history and qualitative research, especially when geographic or health-related constraints limit in-person interactions. This tab provides best practices, tools, and tips for successfully conducting remote interviews while maintaining high-quality recordings and ethical standards.

1. Benefits of Remote Interviews

• Accessibility: Enables interviews with participants who are geographically distant or have mobility constraints.
• Convenience: Offers flexibility in scheduling for both interviewers and participants.
• Safety: Reduces health risks during times of pandemics or other emergencies.

2. Recommended Tools for Remote Recording

Choose tools that are easy for participants to use and provide high-quality recordings. Below are some popular options:

Video Conferencing Platforms (with Recording Features)

• Zoom:
  • Built-in recording feature (audio and video).
  • Can save recordings in high-quality MP4 or M4A formats.
• Microsoft Teams:
  • Offers meeting recording with cloud storage.
• Google Meet:
  • Recording option available with certain subscription plans.

Audio-Only Recording Tools

• Cleanfeed:
  • High-quality, browser-based audio recording platform.
  • Ideal for podcasts and oral histories.
• Zencastr:
  • Records audio locally on each participant’s device for high-quality sound.
  • Automatically uploads files to the cloud.

Mobile Options

• Otter.ai:
  • Combines live transcription with recording.
  • Useful for interviews conducted over a phone call.
• Rev Call Recorder (iOS):
  • Records phone calls and provides transcription services.

3. Preparing for a Remote Interview

1. Test Your Setup:

   • Check your internet connection for stability.
   • Test the chosen platform for audio and video quality.
   • Ensure participants are comfortable using the platform.

2. Provide Clear Instructions:

   • Send step-by-step instructions for accessing the platform.
   • Include tips for minimizing background noise and distractions.

3. Gather Consent in Advance:

   • Share and discuss informed consent and release forms digitally (e.g., via email).
   • Consider using e-signature tools like DocuSign or Adobe Sign for formal documentation.

4. Have a Backup Plan:

   • Prepare a secondary method of communication (e.g., a phone call) in case of technical issues.

4. Best Practices During the Interview

1. Start with an Audio and Video Check:

   • Confirm that the participant can hear and see you clearly.
   • Ensure the recording is functioning properly.

2. Minimize Distractions:

   • Advise participants to sit in a quiet space with minimal interruptions.
   • Turn off notifications on your device and ask participants to do the same.

3. Use Headphones and External Microphones:

   • Improve audio quality by using headphones with a built-in mic or an external microphone.

4. Identify Each Participant at the Beginning:

   • State the date, project name, and participant name clearly for the recording.

5. Handling Technical Challenges

• Low Internet Bandwidth:
  • Use audio-only mode if video quality is poor.
  • Consider recording locally on each end to reduce internet strain.
• Unexpected Interruptions:
  • Pause the recording and resume once the issue is resolved.
  • Communicate openly with the participant about technical difficulties.

6. Storing and Securing Remote Interviews

• File Management:
  • Save recordings immediately after the session.
  • Use clear naming conventions for files (e.g., "CacheValleyMemories_20241125_JK_JaneDoe_Interview.wav").
• Backups:
  • Store recordings in multiple locations (e.g., cloud storage, external drives).
• Privacy:
  • Use platforms that comply with privacy standards (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) to ensure secure storage and transmission.

Additional Resources

• Zoom for Oral Histories: Zoom Official Guide
• Oral History Association Remote Interview Guidelines: OHA Remote Resources
• Digital Preservation Tools: Consult your institution’s digital stewardship team for additional tools and training.