Understanding Oral Histories: Key Considerations Before Fieldwork
Learn about the essential aspects of conducting oral histories, including the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRB), defining human participants, identifying risks in interviews, and protecting research participants through anonymity and confidentiality practices. Prioritize safety and ethical conduct during your research endeavors.
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ORAL HISTORIES: WHAT YOU NEED ORAL HISTORIES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GOING INTO TO KNOW BEFORE GOING INTO THE FIELD THE FIELD Andy Newman, ITF, Brooklyn College anewman@gc.cuny.edu
What is the IRB? What is the IRB? An IRB (Institutional Review Board for human participants) is a group of at least five individuals with varying backgrounds to promote complete and adequate review of research studies. An IRB conducts the initial and annual reviews of a research study.
What is a human participant? What is a human participant? A human participant is a living individual about whom a researcher obtains data through intervention or interaction (interviews) with the individual, or through identifiable private information (data with identifiers).
What/who is at risk in What/who is at risk in interviews? interviews? Research participants may be exposed to physical, psychological social and economic risks. What types of risk could come up in your research projects?
What/who is at risk in What/who is at risk in interviews? interviews? Legal risks? (immigration status, criminal records, etc.)
What/who is at risk in What/who is at risk in interviews? interviews? Legal risks? (immigration status, criminal records, etc.) Moral/ethical risk? (embarrassment, psychological discomfort, etc.)
What/who is at risk in What/who is at risk in interviews? interviews? You may be at risk! These individuals are strangers, so: Be wary of accepting invitations to visit participants at home (go in groups of two or more.) Arrange interviews in public places (coffee shops are always a good bet.)
Protecting your research participants: key terms Anonymity means the researcher has no record of the identity of the participants. Confidentiality means the researcher knows the identity of the participants but will keep the participants' identity and all identifying characteristics confidential.
Guarding confidentiality on a web-based project Use pseudonyms for your research subjects. Use pseudonyms for living people who your research subject describes. EXCEPTION: public figures (i.e. politicians and celebrities can be named.) DO include biographical details. DON T name names or use information that could compromise your participants privacy.
Interviewing 101 Be polite and gracious (these people are volunteering their time to help with you with your class project!). Be appreciative in your words and actions. Don t forget: you are representing Brooklyn College (and MHC!) to the community in this situation.
Interviewing 101 Ask permission to record, photograph, and video (Do not secretly record or otherwise deceive your research participants!) Be open about what you are researching, what you want to know, and why you are doing the project. You should have nothing to hide from your participants.
Interviewing 101 DO arrive prepared with a list of questions. DON T be afraid to be spontaneous or let interviews digress. The best answers are often to the questions you didn t know you should ask! Ask for examples and details. Don t assume you know the history (even if you think you do): always get their stories on how it was for them.
