Oral History Toolkit for the Valley Women’s History Collaborative

(1) Overview

•definition

•drawbacks

•perks

(2) Methodology

•structuring interviews: contact etiquette, location

•tips for interviewing: question format and sample questions

•interviewees: selection process, group interviews

•creating your own community or academic oral history project

(3) Interview Documents:

•project checklist (pre-and post interview)

•release forms

•interview release forms

•personal information sheet/interview questionnaire

(4) Challenges

•insider/outsider status

•personal relationships

•uncomfortable topics (sexuality, gender, racism, ethnicity)

•power dynamics

(5) After the interview

•archiving interviews

•digital formats

•Transcription (tips, format, language barriers, indexing)

•post-interview contact and etiquette

(6) Privacy issues

•copyright/ownership

•striking things from the record

•anonymity

•shared authority

• legal issues

(7) Suggested technologies:

•digital voice recorders

•transcription software

•transcription foot pedals

•audio editing software

•organization and presentation software (for individuals, museums, schools)

•sample oral history websites: how to design an online collection

(8) Bibliography

•methodology and theory books

•oral history based studies

•oral history in the classroom

•community and family oral history sources

•academic journals

•links to oral history on the web