How Do We Interpret and Analyze the Historical Value of an Oral History Interview

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How Do We Interpret and Analyze the Historical Value of an Oral History Interview?

As historians you are constantly analyzing and evaluating primary and secondary sources and what they say about a particular period, event or individual. Through your oral history interview and transcription you have created an important historical source. The extent to which your transcription contributes to a more complete understanding of history is what you will determine in this analytical paper.All historians must perpetually question their sources. Thus, like any other historical source, oral history cannot stand alone, and must be examined in light of its strengths and weaknesses and in conjunction with other sources you examined in your historical contextualization. Keep in mind that history is a complex subject. Your responsibility now is to determine the historical value of your interview remembering that, according to Don Ritchie, “much of oral history is whether or not you believe your sources." Moreover, keep in mind Edward Hallet Carr’s response to the question “What is history? — “A dialogue between the [student] historian and his facts."

• A clear, thesis must be established that assess the historical value of the interview and thus oral history and how you will prove that thesis. Keep in mind that like all historians you must select from the transcript what you think is most valuable.

• Organization is the key. . .OUTLINE, OUTLINE, OUTLINE!

Questions in considering historical value that should be answered in your analysis

How does the transcription reinforce as well as challenge the history researched in the historical contextualization paper?
What does the transcription say about the particular period or event that the interview focuses upon (what does the transcript not say as well)?
What new information does the transcript provide about the period or event that was examined?
What does the interview contribute to our larger understanding of the period or event that was examined?
How does the individual (your interviewee) fit into the whole of history?
What is valuable especially for someone who doesn’t read the whole interview?
What was important to my interviewee and why?
How much of the interview can be verified by my research? What is the value of that which cannot be verified (use the interview as evidence)?
What would a paper/project on this period or event look like without this interview?
Who would be next to interview and why keeping in mind that one interview, such as this, is only a snapshot.
What questions remain and how can they be answered (consider calling the interviewee back)?
What is the value of oral history and THIS oral history project (consider how memory is shaped)?
What did you get out of this experience with oral history, has it changed you as a historian in any way (identify challenges you faced . . .be honest)?

Most importantly, as you write the analysis keep in mind the most important rule of conducting an oral history project as outlined by the Principle and Standards of the Oral History Association:

RESPECT THE INTERVIEWEE by asking the question “would you be embarrassed having the interviewee reading it?

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