English Oral History Research Methodology ppt.pptx

Oral History Research Methodology

1. Oral History Research Method in English Studies Dr. E. Krishna Chaitanya Associate Professor, Department of English Central University of Kashmir

2. What is Oral History It involves collecting and recording the memories, experiences, and perspectives of people who have lived through a particular period or event. Oral history has become an important tool for historians, researchers, and social scientists in recent years, providing a valuable perspective on events that might otherwise be lost.

3. What is Oral History Oral history is a method of preserving and presenting historical information through spoken accounts of past events.

4. Definition, Origin and Popularity The term "oral history" was first coined in the early 20th century by the American historian Allan Nevins, who used the method to collect stories from Civil War veterans. However, the term "oral history" was coined by the Italian philosopher and historian Antonio Gramsci in the 1930s. It became more popular in the 1960s and 1970s as a result of the social and political changes of that era, and as a way of collecting the stories of marginalized and underrepresented communities. It has since been used in a wide range of fields, including anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies.

5. Fields Appropriate for Oral History Oral history can be applied in any field where the goal is to understand the experiences and perspectives of individuals or communities. Some of the fields where oral history is commonly used include history, anthropology, sociology, political science, and cultural studies. It can also be used in journalism and documentary filmmaking as a way of telling stories and sharing perspectives.

6. Applying Oral History for Research To apply oral history in one's research, it is important to have a clear research question or topic, and to identify appropriate interviewees who can provide valuable insights into the topic. It is also important to prepare a set of questions in advance to take the conversation in new directions. Recording and transcribing the interviews is also essential for later analysis.

7. Methods and Techniques of Oral Histories There are several methods and techniques used in oral history, including structured interviews, unstructured interviews, life history interviews , and group interviews. Structured interviews involve asking a set of pre-determined questions, while unstructured interviews are more free- form and allow interviewees to share their perspectives more freely. Life history interviews are longer interviews that cover an individual's entire life story, while group interviews involve multiple people discussing a particular topic.

8. Prominent works Originated from Oral Histories There have been numerous prominent works of research, thesis, and books that have originated from oral histories. For example , Studs Terkel's "Working" (1974) collected the stories of working-class Americans, while John Demos' "The Unredeemed Captive: A Family Story from Early America" (1994) used oral history to tell the story of a family during the French and Indian War. The book "Voices of Freedom: An Oral History of the Civil Rights Movement from the 1950s Through the 1980s" by Henry Hampton (1990) collected stories from key figures in the civil rights movement.

9. Acceptance of Oral History While oral history has become increasingly popular in recent decades, it is not without its critics. Some scholars argue that oral history is subjective and unreliable, while others question the ethical implications of collecting personal narratives without proper informed consent or privacy protections. However , many scholars argue that oral history can provide valuable insights and perspectives that are not found in traditional written sources, and that with careful planning and analysis, oral history can be a powerful tool for understanding the past.

10. Conclusion Oral history is a valuable research method that can provide unique insights and perspectives on historical events, social and cultural changes, and individual experiences. While it has its limitations and controversies, with careful planning and analysis, oral history can be a powerful tool for understanding the past. By using the resources available, such as books and videos, graduate students can learn about the methods and techniques of oral history and apply them to their research projects.

11. Resources to Learn Oral History… Books: " Doing Oral History" by Donald A. Ritchie "The Oral History Reader" edited by Robert Perks and Alistair Thomson "Memory, History, and the Extermination of the Jews of Europe" by Saul Friedlander "Oral History Theory" by Lynn Abrams "Listening for a Life: A Dialogic Ethnography of Bessie Eldreth Through Her Songs and Stories" by Patricia Sawin

12. Resources to Learn Oral History… Videos: Sürgünün 75. Yılında Ahıska Türkleri Belgeseli - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHjDxo71R k0&t=432s https://twitter.com/i/status/122970087122472 9602 "Oral History: A Guide for Beginners" by the Oral History Association "Using Oral History in Your Research" by the Oral History Society "The Oral History Workshop: Tips and Techniques" by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress "Oral History Interview Techniques" by the University of California, Los Angeles "Oral History Project Planning and Preparation" by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill