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→Before the Interview
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There are generally three kinds of questions you can ask. | There are generally three kinds of questions you can ask. | ||
• Open-Ended Questions. Usually the most successful interview comes when the interviewee discusses whatever | • Open-Ended Questions. ''Usually the most successful interview comes when the interviewee discusses whatever is most important to him or her. You can lead an interviewee to discuss interests by asking open-ended questions, such as “What are your fondest memories of your mother?” or “How did you meet your husband?” or “What was your | ||
is most important to him or her. You can lead an interviewee to discuss interests by asking open-ended questions, | greatest challenge as a child?” These questions require more than one or two words to answer and will encourage the interviewee to talk. See appendix B for a list of sample questions.'' | ||
such as “What are your fondest memories of your mother?” or “How did you meet your husband?” or “What was your | |||
greatest challenge as a child?” These questions require more than one or two words to answer and will encourage | |||
the interviewee to talk. See appendix B for a list of sample questions. | |||
• Direct Questions. ''A direct question evokes a short response, usually one or two words. Direct questions are | • Direct Questions. ''A direct question evokes a short response, usually one or two words. Direct questions are appropriate if you seek specific information. For example, you might ask, “What year was Albert Smith born?” or “Who was his father?” This type of question can help you get good information, but it won’t generate the kinds of | ||
appropriate if you seek specific information. For example, you might ask, “What year was Albert Smith born?” or | thoughts and memories that can come from an interview. They might be good introductory or concluding questions and they might help provide important contextual information, but a successful interview is usually built on openended questions.''<br> | ||
“Who was his father?” This type of question can help you get good information, but it won’t generate the kinds of | |||
thoughts and memories that can come from an interview. They might be good introductory or concluding questions | |||
and they might help provide important contextual information, but a successful interview is usually built on openended | |||
questions.'' | |||
• Object-Based Questions. ''Photos, objects, and heirlooms can serve as an interesting basis for interview questions. | Even though the best interview arises from open-ended questions, you can make a list of direct questions you hope to have answered during the interview. Your interviewee may answer them without prompting during the course of the interview. If not, the last few minutes of an interview are a good time to ask a limited amount of direct questions. | ||
For example, during your interview you might show a photo and ask what your interviewee knows about the people | |||
in the photo.'' | • Object-Based Questions. ''Photos, objects, and heirlooms can serve as an interesting basis for interview questions. For example, during your interview you might show a photo and ask what your interviewee knows about the people in the photo.'' | ||
Be sensitive about the questions you ask. If you know a certain subject will be upsetting to the interviewee, avoid | |||
that subject or approach it carefully. Broach the subject only after you have developed sufficient rapport. | Be sensitive about the questions you ask. If you know a certain subject will be upsetting to the interviewee, avoid that subject or approach it carefully. Broach the subject only after you have developed sufficient rapport. | ||
'''Arrange for Recording Equipment''' | '''Arrange for Recording Equipment''' | ||
Expensive equipment is not required for oral history interviews. An inexpensive video or tape recorder and | Expensive equipment is not required for oral history interviews. An inexpensive video or tape recorder and microphone are usually all you need. Test the equipment in advance to ensure that it works properly and that you know how to use it. High quality tapes will preserve your interview longer. You should also bring extra batteries or a power cord you can plug in the wall. | ||
microphone are usually all you need. Test the equipment in advance to ensure that it works properly and that | |||
you know how to use it. High quality tapes will preserve your interview longer. You should also bring extra | |||
batteries or a power cord you can plug in the wall. | |||
==At the Interview== | ==At the Interview== | ||