Think about which individuals can make a valuable contribution to your research. Consider diversity in perspectives and backgrounds to get as complete a picture as possible.
1. Preparing for Interviews
A good oral history interview starts with thorough preparation. This ensures the conversation runs smoothly and yields valuable information.
Purpose and Research Question
Before you begin, it is important to be clear about why you are conducting the interview and what you want to investigate. This helps in selecting the right interviewees and in preparing a relevant list of questions or topics.
Selection of interviewees
Preliminary research
Study the subject and the personal background of the interviewee. This will help you ask more targeted questions and contribute to a better conversation. Check whether there are existing sources that provide context for the story you aim to collect.