Oral History is centered around the interview, an individual, personal recording of memories and experiences of past events. However, Doing Oral History involves much more than the interview itself. Though navigating the steps for Conducting the Interview is at its heart, this chapter brings together the different elements that form the research-based practice of Oral History.
We tackle how to approach background research of the selected historical subject, how to narrow down the research topic, and identify the inquiry question; and how to ensure the inclusion of multiple perspectives by creating a pool of narrators. We delve into how to analyze sources in light of our research question, and think about how we can make the interviews and the research findings available and accessible to a wider audience, inside and outside of the archives; and we reflect on what impact Oral History could have in conflict settings and what our role in this process might be.
