Welcome to the Oral History and Qualitative Fieldwork LibGuide
This LibGuide serves as a comprehensive resource for individuals interested in conducting oral history interviews and qualitative fieldwork. Whether you are a student, researcher, or community member, this guide provides practical tools, ethical guidelines, and methodological insights to help you capture and preserve the voices, stories, and lived experiences of individuals and communities.
Oral history and qualitative fieldwork are powerful methodologies that offer a window into the past and present, revealing personal narratives and cultural practices that are often overlooked in traditional histories. By conducting interviews and engaging in fieldwork, researchers can contribute to the preservation of unique voices, foster community engagement, and deepen our collective understanding of human experiences.
This guide is organized into sections to support all stages of your project, including:
- Types of Interviews: Explore structured, semi-structured, and unstructured approaches, along with their applications.
- Interview Techniques: Practical tips for asking effective questions, active listening, handling sensitive topics, and adapting to the flow of conversation.
- Recording Interviews: Guidance on selecting recording equipment, using Zoom, and ensuring audio quality while maintaining privacy and data security.
- Transcribing Interviews: Step-by-step advice for transcription, including tools like USB foot pedals, Otter.ai, and Express Scribe, with a focus on accessibility and accuracy.
- Analyzing Transcriptions: Tips for interpreting interviews, coding qualitative data, and connecting findings to broader research themes.
- Accessibility and Public Sharing: Strategies for making oral histories accessible, including considerations for digital platforms.
- Privacy and Ethical Considerations: Key principles, including informed consent, release forms, metadata creation, and respecting participants’ privacy.
- Example Oral History Projects: Inspiring examples of projects that showcase best practices and innovative approaches.
- Forms and Documentation: Discussion of best practices for informed consent, release forms, and metadata spreadsheets.
By following the principles and practices outlined in this guide, you will be equipped to conduct meaningful and impactful research that honors the voices and stories of your participants. Let’s get started!
