This practical course is designed for those wishing to use interviewing and oral history techniques as methods for data collection. This course aims (1) to improve skills for those wishing to create recorded interviews as part of their data gathering, (2) introduce processes involved in the preparation, conduct, and processing of recorded interviews, and (3) discuss questions relating to the dissemination, preservation, ethics, and budgeting for interviewing as a method. The course involves eight hours scheduled in two half-day sessions. It is one of several modules I have taught for UCL Doctoral School. Another related to publishing the thesis as a book.
Intended audience
- year 1 and 2 postgraduate research students, before they’ve undertaken fieldwork in their research
Course content
This workshops takes place over two days. Day 1 focusing on interviewing skills and related methodological considerations. Interviewing is not simply about talking; it’s a research methodology with specific strengths and weaknesses. We explore and practice. Day 2 focuses on compliance, ethics, and equipment.
Aims
This course has three aims.
- improve skills for those wishing to create recorded interviews as part of their data gathering
- introduce processes involved in the preparation, conduct, and processing of recorded interviews
- discuss questions relating to the dissemination, preservation, ethics, and budgeting of interviews and resulting materials
This practical course will be of particular use to those creating recorded interviews, such as oral histories and participant interviews, as part of their research.
Objectives
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- demonstrate basic interview methods
- construct an interview strategy appropriate to their interests, reflecting on choices
- identify key processes in the production, deposit, dissemination, and citation of recorded interviews
- identify key legal, ethical and budgetary issues in recorded interviews
- weigh advantages and disadvantages of different interview technologies
Additional resource
Robert Perks and Alistair Thomson (eds.) 2015. The Oral History Reader, 3rd (Taylor and Francis). Print ISBN: 9780415707329. eBook ISBN: 9781315671833. Adobe ISBN: 9781317371328. (UCL Library catalogue; UCL students can download)