Guide to recording oral histories
Contents
1. Advice about recording with some models of digital recorder http www vermontfolklifecenter org archive res audioequip htm last updated 2012 Advice on the care and preservation of personal audio visual collections http nfsa gov au preservation care Resources for digital storytelling http www umbc edu oit newmedia studio digitalstories resources php 24 Cover image SHA 65 0327 VN Binh Tuy Province Vietnam December 1965 An unidentified soldier uses microphone and tape recorder to record a Christmas message which could be heard back in Australia on Christmas Day Photographer Michael Barry Shannon Copyright Australian War Memorial AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL 252. s Bringing Them Home oral history project http pandora nla gov au pan 133365 20120410 1246 www nla gov au oh bth index htm Advisory services for current and former military personnel and their supporters Please note the Memorial administers an oral history program and does not handle veterans official service records benefits or health care Please refer to the following resources if you or a veteran you know need assistance Defence Care http www defencecare org au Mates 4 Mates http mates4mates org The Military Brotherhood http www militaryorotherhood com au Picking up the Peaces http www pickingupthepeaces org au Soldier On http soldieron org au The White Cloud Foundation http www whitecloudfoundation org Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service http www dva gov au health_and_ wellbeing health programs vvcs Pages contact VVCS a Spx Further information on vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue Department of Defence Self Help information sheet http www defence gov au health DMH SelfHelp Documents FS Vicarious Trauma pdf State Government of NSW Self Care information sheet http www community nsw gov au docs menu for agencies that work with us home train ing shs training self care tool kit html Transforming the Pain a workbook on vicarious traumatization Saakvitne Pearlman amp Staff of TSI CAAP Norton 1996 23 Copyright advice See Australia s Copyright Council for advice on managing
3. This can include both the recorder and the microphone s A fully charged battery will normally give only four hours recording time approximately the length of one interview Begin each interview with new batteries If using a tape recorder and the recorder is standing directly on the same surface as the microphone place a cloth or magazine beneath it This will prevent mechanical noises being transmitted to the microphone The microphone Position static microphones on a table or other stable surface ideally with equal distance between it and each interviewee Microphones on stands should be angled up to chin level not at eye level If using clip on or lapel microphones position within 15cm and slightly to one side of the mouth The recording process Do a sound check test your identification message by playing it back Itis a good idea to try this in the interviewing room as recording conditions can vary Transcription There are many commercial transcription companies in Australia some of whom can provide on line quotes for transcription jobs Costs will vary according to The quality of the recording i e will the transcriber have trouble hearing the interview Content of the recording i e if a speaker is heavily accented or uses uncommon words jargon or pronunciations The length of the recording Generally a professional transcriber requires three to four hours time to transcribe one hour of recorded int
4. This should be counter signed by the interviewer and a copy of the document provided to the interviewee Both parties should understand that for any change in intended use of the interview permission to use for that purpose must be renegotiated Remember that if the recording is published i e broadcast printed or made public in some way copyright in the recording will last for 70 years from the date of that publication or the death of the creator For more information about copyright and releases refer to the resources in this guide If the interviewees don t mind how where or when their interview is used they can make a complete assignment of their copyright to you but again this must be documented Ensure that the interviewees understand what they are signing and why They are either licencing you to use the recording for the purpose specified or they are transferring their copyright to you If it is within your budget or that of the project on which you are working it would be a good idea to have legal assistance in devising a template for documenting copyright control Confidentiality Treat every interview as a confidential conversation until an interviewee gives the right to share information through the above specified agreement Explain that the interviewee has the right to ask for anonymity and or to place restrictions on the use of the interview during his or her lifetime Conduct Undertake interviews with objectivity ho
5. able to conduct the interview or be interested in archiving it Many libraries have oral history programs and it may be worthwhile approaching your state or local library for advice Town Councils and municipal archive centres also sometimes record or collect oral histories of their local residents Contact your local community radio station and find out if they are interested in interviewing your nominated interviewee Or maybe you can book one of their recording studios to conduct the interview Consider letting your local paper and or radio station know about the story Media people are always on the look out for interesting stories this is particularly true in the lead up to Anzac and Remembrance Days Consider hiring a professional oral historian storyteller or film maker to conduct the interview many businesses offer this service Look for them online using keywords such as oral historian life history life story personal histories digital storytelling or look in online locations like these Oral History Association s registry of practicing oral historians http www ohaa wa com au registry of practising oral historians Digital Storytellers http digitalstorytellers com au a collective of professional storytellers who can utilize filmmaking web design crowdsourcing and social media to assist their clients to tell stories and portray them to a wider audience The Dulwich Centre http www dulwichcentre com au
6. adjust the record volume Are the read outs legible and do the menus progress logically Price point A good recorder need not be excessively dear and it is worth remembering that sale prices of such devices can be negotiated At the basic end of the market there are some good recorders that are great value for the quality they provide for example Zoom H1 Palmtop Recorder retails for around 150 and is probably the lowest priced model with capacity for capturing an acceptable quality of audio Zoom H4N Handy Recorder retails at around 280 This model is recommended for its demonstrated robustness and quality When it comes to audio budget is important but always try to buy the best you can afford Cheapest is never the best and very generally the more money you spend the more quality you will be buying into simple as that Other recommended models are Tascam DR 40 Tascam DR 05 as well as other models by Marantz Roland Yamaha Sony of varying prices right up to the highly recommended Sound Devices brand 702 field recorder but at a cost of 2500 is perhaps only for organisations which can justify the money for this kind of quality 18 Records in archival format The device must be able to record in a format suitable for long term storage The Memorial uses the Wav file format for high quality long term digital storage Wav files are uncompressed will provide good sound quality and have the greatest flexibility for m
7. and the interviewee is crucial It is therefore important to consider the following points and be prepared to address them Intentions Explain to the interviewee the purpose of the interview who might be expected to use it where and how will it be stored advise how it might be used especially if it may form part of a publication or production such as a book or documentary film advise how it will be recorded and documented and whether it will be transcribed whether the interviewee can have a copy of the interview and transcript Legalities The interviewees own copyright in the recording This is a right that they hold in perpetuity It means that in order for the recording to be reproduced or used it in any way you must first obtain the interviewee s permission to do so If you intend to use the whole or any part of the interview in a way that other people will hear it you should create an agreement between yourself and the interviewee to enable that to happen The document should clearly state the following The names and contact details of the interviewee and interviewer Location and date of interview The purpose of the interview with regard to the way in which it will be used and reproduced by the interviewer The signature of the interviewee giving permission for the interview to be recorded and released in the manner described The interviewees should print and sign their names and date the agreement
8. can be time consuming and expensive However a transcript particularly for long interviews is an excellent reference tool for accessing the interview Also consider offering the interviewees a chance to review the interview either as a sound recording or in transcript form and providing them with courtesy copies of the interview Preparing an interview Itis a good idea to meet with the interviewee ahead of the scheduled interview or at least become acquainted by phone particularly if you have not met the interviewee before This serves several purposes it helps establish an acquaintance from which a sense of trust can be built it allows you the opportunity to brief the veteran regarding the purpose and nature of the interview and it allows you to research the topic and prepare your questions in conjunction with the interviewee The best interviews happen as a result of a collaborative approach Research also helps ensure the relevance of the questions you ask and importantly it is encouraging for the interviewees if they perceive your understanding of the topics discussed Keep a list of topics and prepared questions available during the interview It may be useful to list the key points of the interviewees career on a separate document to assist in the research or ask them to fill a form like the one provided in this guide Providing the questions to the interviewee at least one week prior to the interview helps give more thoughtful r
9. cece ee ee teeta ee ee tees eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 15 Example This is an interview with Vice Admiral Sir Richard Innes Peek KBE CB DSC RN Rtd It is conducted by Lieutenant Commander Tony Hughes RANR on Wednesday 2 April 2003 at the Australian War Memorial Canberra The topics covered are mainly the views and experience of Vice Admiral Peek as Commanding Officer of HMAS Tobruk in the Malayan Emergency during 1956 Vice Admiral Sir Richard Peek had a distinguished career which included service during the Second World War in HMS Revenge HMAS Hobart and HMAS Australia He was awarded the OBE and the DSC for operations in Philippine waters In the Korea War he was Commanding Officer of HMAS Tobruk and was awarded the US Legion of Merit and in the Malayan Emergency he again commanded HMAS Tobruk His later appointments included Commanding Officer of HMAS Sydney and of the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and as a Flag Officer the 4th Naval Member of the Australian Naval Board the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff DCNS Flag Officer Commanding the Australian Fleet FOCAF Second Naval Member of the Australian Naval Board and finally Chief of Naval Staff CNS Vice Admiral Peek retired in 1973 16 Release Forms A release form is an instrument that acts to regulate any legal liability between the releasor in this case the interviewee and the releasee the interviewer A release form provides some protection to the interviewer in
10. had with them What characteristics of and relations with allied forces did you observe and what was the nature of work undertaken with or alongside them Did you communicate with friends and loved ones at home whilst deployed If so how and how often What was your perception of home life whilst away Were your relationships affected by your absence and if so how What were command and control arrangements for example how and by whom were orders conveyed and reports made Operational organisation in which employed including the unit role dress equipment techniques etc What was the political strategic background For example what were the characteristics of the enemy forces as individuals or organisationally describe their tactics equipment and own observations How did you feel about the performance of own organisation or team For example with regard to capability leadership morale discipline personnel selection training etc Did you feel the training and preparation you had was appropriate and or sufficient to the role and location Did you or your friends sustain service related injuries If applicable what was your prisoner of war experience personal reactions enemy treatment living conditions indoctrination and release If applicable and appropriate how were the wounded handled including evacuation procedure Examine each of the significant operations experienced with brief description critical i
11. history projects 22 Support and advisory services 23 Technical information 24 What is an oral history interview The past never alters but memory and history change all the time Alistair Thomson Anzac Memories Living with the Legend An oral history occurs when an individual plans and records the spoken recollections of another individual By recording an interview with that individual you create a new historical record which can supplement existing records such as official documents written diaries photographs and the oral histories of other veterans Through an oral history record a version of the past is captured for the benefit of future generations in a way which preserves the voices accents and vocabularies of individuals interviewed Oral history is a method for obtaining information from different and personal perspectives many of which cannot be found in written sources In the context of military history an oral history interview aims to elicit information about personal experiences and views relating to the conflict in which the interviewee was involved It does not aim to obtain information which repeats the official history rather an interview will record a personal history the perspective of conflict or war that is particular to that veteran including attitudes emotions and experiences You should also find that through the discussion aspects of the larger history will emerge The interviewer has a greater ch
12. is tendency for people to lean back and fall out of range of the microphone Moreover voice quality may also be affected as the diaphragm is more compressed Position yourself as interviewer opposite the interviewee Avoid leaning over a coffee table which will become uncomfortable over time a dining table is a better height It is a good idea to have water glasses handy especially for long interviews Ensure any crockery or glassware is cushioned beneath e g by a tablecloth or folded napkin to muffle sounds of drinks being put down It is also a good idea to have tissues handy should the interview lead to emotional memory recall for the interviewee Have a sense of how long you estimate the interview to take Plan with the interviewee to take breaks as necessary Supporting documentation Have your notes and a notepad in front of you Interviews conducted with reference to maps photo albums letters or diaries are best videoed rather than recorded but you can introduce items verbally and photograph them if necessary Before you record Check the basic functions of your recording equipment by making a test recording in the room you will interview in This allows you to be sure the recorder is working and that the sound levels are correct for the environment Use mains power in preference to batteries However should it be necessary to use battery power ensure you have a sufficient number of fully charged batteries for your record
13. licensees the right to use publish and reproduce for specify purpose my name and voice image recording in any or all media without limitation or specify conditions and or offer as a donation to insert organisation name 17 Technical Matters Analogue reel to reel cassette and micro cassette is now a redundant recording format Electronic companies have almost entirely ceased to manufacture analogue equipment and some have already withdrawn maintenance support Selecting a recording device Use of a good quality digital recorder is recommended to ensure the best quality of audio interview This is an essential requirement for recordings which are need to survive indefinitely or simply to be able to listen to them again years from now If you do not wish to buy a recorder and cannot borrow one try your local library or historical society you can hire one from a transcription service company You may have to hire a microphone separately Features of a good recorder include Ease of use A device which causes you frustration or anxiety will not make for a good interview experience Have a look at the user manual online if possible if it doesn t make sense to you perhaps you shouldn t use it Inspect a model in person if you can and ascertain the following features Can you easily depress buttons or manipulate controls Does the device clearly have Record Stop and Play buttons on its face Is there a wheel or buttons to
14. AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL Pt SHA 65 0327 VN A guide for interviewing veterans past and present Introduction This guide provides general advice for members of the public about the conduct and technique for recording oral history interviews with past or current serving members of the Australian Defence Forces Oral histories can be a valuable resource for personal use interest or reference You may be undertaking a community heritage project or perhaps you wish to interview a parent friend or relative You might be a retired veteran wishing to make a record of your recollections Many people feel the need to record the experiences of others for posterity either because the recollections tell an important story or are rich in and of themselves The Memorial receives many nominations for oral history interview and it is not possible to meet every request The Memorial has created this guide as a way to help people to conduct interviews with veterans It is intended to cover principles of ethical oral history practice a subject for which further references can be found at the end of this guide together with specific recommendations for interviewing war veterans This guide is based on the experience of Memorial staff on advice from experienced historians and on expertise available from other sources such as the Oral History Association of Australia OHAA and in particular Beth Robertson s guide to oral history which is availab
15. An Adelaide based independent centre dedicated to supporting and training practitioners of narrative therapy in association with therapy and community work 21 Further references The following material is general in nature Before relying on the material in any important matter users should carefully evaluate its accuracy currency completeness and relevance for their purposes Links to other websites are inserted for convenience and do not constitute endorsement of material at those sites or any associated organisation product or service Oral history practice A number of publications provide useful How To information for those wanting to apply oral recording methods in Australia These include Interviewing for Oral History at the National Library of Australia A Short Guide Alec Bolton Canberra National Library of Australia 1994 Oral History A Handbook Louise Douglas et al Sydney Allen amp Unwin 1988 Oral History How to Interview Ronda Jamieson Perth WA Lib Board 1988 Talking Together a Guide to Community Oral History Projects Lesley Jenkins Oral History Association of Australia Queensland 1999 Capturing the Past an oral history workshop by Stuart Reid 20 minute DVD Oral History Association of WA 1998 Oral History Handbook Beth Robertson Adelaide OHAA 1994 Guidelines for audio and audiovisual recording in the South Pacific Edgar Waters Canberra National Library of Australia 1995 Re
16. ance of success if discussion points or direct questions are prepared in advance to elicit particular aspects of the interviewee s experience in active service It is important to be clear from the outset about the purpose of the interview and to research and prepare interview questions accordingly The content and nature of the interview will depend on whether the interviewer is well known or closely related to the interviewee and what the purpose of the recording is For example is it conducted as a family history record or for research purposes Is it anticipated that people outside the veteran s own acquaintance will hear it The interview technique should be adapted to suit personal preferences and the purpose of the interview Oral histories with war veterans have been recorded for a variety of reasons and have an equally diverse range of applications to other contexts These include historical and academic research documentary film and radio family history museum exhibitions websites school projects and community history projects Advice for interviewers The best interviews are achieved when a sense of trust exists between the participants This will help interviewees feel comfortable in relating a personal rather than institutional story As an interviewer you have certain responsibilities towards your interviewees including making your interviewees aware of their rights and how to protect them Clear communication between yourself
17. and observing copyright http www copyright org au The Attorney General s Department http www ag gov au RightsAndProtections IntellectualProperty Pages default aspx Technical information Technical advice for oral historians purchasing equipment FAQ and more http www oralhistorynsw org au technical advice for oral historians html Oral history in the digital age a guide to selecting and using digital equipment http ohda matrix msu edu The Oral Historian s Digital Toolbox http storytelling concordia ca oralhistorianstoolbox Equipment a guide to recording oral history Ministry for Culture and Heritage http www nzhistory net nz hands equipment a guide to recording oral history Videos about common digital audio recorders a digital audio calculator and a tutorial on achieving optimal recording levels By the Louis B Nunn Centre for Oral History http www uky edu Libraries libpage php lweb id 11 amp llib id 13 amp ltab_id 1369 Using optical disks CDs DVDs National Library of Australia http www nla gov au padi topics 53 html Risks Associated with the Use of Recordable CDs and DVDs as Reliable Storage Media in Archival Collections Strategies and Alternatives by Kevin Bradley National Library Australia http unesdoc unesco org images 001 4 001477 147782E pdf A free online guide to digital recording by the Florida Electronic Library http www fcla edu FloridaVoices RecordingDigitally shtml
18. ay be used for any additional information which you think would be of assistance to the interviewer 13 Career Record Template Please provide these details as completely as possible Please don t use abbreviations Dates Unit ship or squadron if appropriate Station theatre or Place Rank Position or Occupation Duties include routine or special relevant activities 14 Identify your Recording template This is a template for the introduction to an oral history interview Fill in the gaps and read aloud at the commencement of the recording This is an interview WIt cc cece cece cece cece eect III Hn interviewee Ibis conducted Dy ee D e ea xxx eux aod eee hs rre Le eR xxr a ees interviewer OM nexis aes eU cise Shear Aedadidame rent usd dentem tisk a d m n De e LSM I e era date recording location e g Bankstown Sydney The topics covered are the experiences of sssssseseseee rank name dS uie sseiee ten aa listed E TG Of ote ee tes seien und ELM teret io appointment unit TUNE EE EE to enetees jn location date range EEE AEE d cM REA M ag was born iN cece cece cee ce cece eee a aaa name place ON er He she was educated at ccc cece ccc ce cc eee ea ee eee enees date last educational institution prior to military service His her significant postings were 0 ee cecec
19. cording Oral History A guide for humanities and social sciences Second edition Valerie Raleigh Yow Alta Mira Press 2005 Also available as a free online publication http granturi ubbcluj ro tinistorie pdf Recording 20Oral 20History pdf The Oral History Australia Journal a journal by the Oral History Association of Australia http www oralhistoryaustralia org au page publications html The Oral History Review US publication a journal by the Oral History Association http www oxfordjournals org our journals ohr about html The OHA has branches in NSW SA amp NT QLD and WA See also the website of the Oral History Association of Australia for more information links to other resources and scheduled oral history workshops http www oralhistoryaustralia org au Other sites which may be of assistance or interest Australian Family History Compendium a free online resource for family history researchers http www cohsoft com au afhc isps The Australian Historical Association http www theaha org au Examples of existing large scale oral history projects are The Department of Veterans Affairs website of filmed interviews with veterans http www australiansatwarfilmarchive gov au aawfa The Library of Congress Veterans History Project www loc gov vets 22 Monash University s The Australian Generations Project http artsonline monash edu au australian generations National Library of Australia
20. erview The type of transcription required For example a strict verbatim transcription capturing every pause every um or other incidental remark will be more expensive than a standard transcription which omits pauses emphasis laughter or repetition Therefore the type of transcription you choose will depend on the purpose of the interview You may wish to transcribe the interview yourself and there are many software and equipment packages on the open market available to assist in this Simply use an online search engine to look for transcription software or transcription services The use of voice recognition software known also as transcription software is another option for transcription 20 This software should negate the need for a human transcriber however especial attention should be paid to the proof reading of the resulting transcript An alternative method for creating a written finding aid for the recording is to create a timed summary which provides a time stamp at regular intervals alongside a summary of the interview for that minute Alternatives If you have a story that is important to record for posterity you may not have to do it all yourself Other avenues of assistance include Your local historical or family history society There are many such organisations throughout Australia usually staffed by volunteers with tips and maybe resources which could be of help to you They may even be
21. esponses in the interview and allows for time to remember names of people and places to be mentioned It will also help the interviewee have clear understanding of the purpose and nature of the interview Encourage the interviewee to search out and bring along photographs diaries or other records of their service These will assist in prompting recollections and may form part of the interview You may wish to photograph or film these items for further reference during or after the interview When briefing the veteran emphasise the interview s purpose which is not to obtain a comprehensive or formal report of events but to record a personal story which includes the recall of experiences and emotions Not only will this help ensure a meaningful and valuable interview but it can provide assurance to the veterans about the nature of the interview that is there should be no reason to feel anxious about being unable to recall precise dates names or other details Within the context of the interview the only things that are important are the things that have stuck in their mind In the course of recalling these past events the interviewee may experience strong feelings especially if he or she has not previously shared these stories with anyone else Do not show surprise or dismay if powerful emotions are expressed Important As mentioned above oral history interviews have the capacity to renew strong memories and emotions Before beginnin
22. ew Use body language and facial expression to indicate supportive and engaged listening Give a second s pause between completion of the interviewee s comment and your response or following question Try not to cut off an answer as it can be perceived as discourteous as well as detrimental to the flow of the interview It would only be necessary if a subject is unusually garrulous and the content is irrelevant to your purpose Moreover much important material can arise during what seems to be digressive discussion If the interviewee uses military terms and acronyms whose meaning is not obvious you may wish to ask for definitions of those terms Use your judgement as to whether or not to ask during the course of interview or afterwards so as not to interrupt the flow of the interview These terms can be explained in the transcript or within documentation that accompanies the interview Concluding the interview Plan where and how you will draw the interview to a close know ahead of time what you will say as a conclusion to mark the impending close the interview For example Tve reached the end of my questions But is there anything haven t asked you that you would like to add or What advice would you give to your family to others who have had similar experiences What would you do differently or what gave you the greatest sense of satisfaction Always rewind the last few seconds and play it back If there is some
23. for example by asking about their early life or from the point where they first learned they were deploying These are good points to start from because they establish that the story is a personal one not a formal or official report and it encourages the interviewee to recall feelings and personal memories Sample questions Pre military life and experiences Where and when you were born Where did you grow up Where and why you enlisted What was your background prior to active service ask about education work experience training and personal experience or development for active service Early military life and experiences What were your feelings upon learning of your imminent deployment Tell me about your unit s training in preparation for deployment for operational service What was your age on first entering the operational theatre Life and experiences on deployment What were your initial reactions to service in the operational environment whether based in theatre HQ or at the front over the wire including climatic adjustment cultural differences etc What were the general living conditions experienced including provision of meals and rations hygiene medical facilities amenities rest and recuperation leave allowances If you had any free time during deployment how was it spent Who did you serve with For example what services and or nations they were from and what previous subsequent dealings you
24. g the interview Plana circuit breaking activity to take place after the interview such as a cup of coffee or a walk with yourself or a close associate of the interviewee Before commencing the interview advise your interviewees that they can ask to stop the interview for any reason Whether you are asked to or not be prepared to pause the recording should signs of physical or emotional distress become apparent during interview Framing the questions Having a list of topics to cover ready to hand enables you to keep control of the interview Plan to deal with what you identify to be the major topics of the interview There will be about five major topics pre military upbringing and education military training operational experience any extraordinary experiences reflections recollections Any of the topics may be disregarded if irrelevant to or inappropriate for the interviewee They may also be adapted to suit non military interviewees As the interview proceeds other topics might be introduced by either the interviewee or interviewer Interesting and or controversial aspects of topics should be illustrated with examples where appropriate Put questions in clear concise terms but avoid asking closed questions that require a simple yes no answer Ask the more general questions first then follow specific leads When commencing the interview follow a chronological line Begin at the beginning
25. ght short Most recorders average about 2GB of memory i e three hours recording at 16bit 44 1 kHz Note that 16bit is the lowest acceptable standard for archival storage at the Memorial Microphone Use a good quality microphone to ensure the best possible result Some recorders ones under 150 will have very poor inbuilt microphones Look for a pair of visible microphones attached to the front of the device as opposed to microphones hidden within a small hole in the device Good recorders record good sound with high fidelity and resolution and bona fide microphones are a main contributor to this Playback of audio recorded at this quality will clearly demonstrate its clarity and audibility This is an essential requirement for recordings which are need to survive indefinitely or simply to be able to listen to them again years from now Format of the recording By using a good quality digital recorder the interview can be recorded at the optimum format as a Wav file The Memorial archival standard is 24bit 96kHz The lowest acceptable standard is 16bit 44 1kHz CD quality audio MP3s are very compressed unstable files and are not suitable for archival preservation 19 Before you record Check the basic functions of your recording equipment Use mains power in preference to batteries However should it be necessary to use battery power ensure you have a sufficient number of fully charged batteries for your recording equipment
26. he interviewee Refer to the example form in this guide If the interview is being transcribed you may like to offer the interviewee an opportunity to review the transcript The interviewee should not be encouraged to use the opportunity to edit and change large parts of the transcript however it is a means by which the transcript can be proofed for error or omissions as where a spoken word were too faint for the transcriber to hear It may also help form the basis for a trusting working relationship between interviewer and interviewee If you are conducting a series of interviews you should consider keeping an interview log This will form an index of the work and be of invaluable assistance during current or future research The log should list the following details for each interview full name of interviewee date of interview length of interview key topics discussed 12 Interviewee biographical details template SURNAME block letters MAIDEN NAME if applicable GIVEN NAMES in full TITLE DEGREES DECORATIONS OTHER AWARDS ADDRESS TELEPHONE MOBILE PHONE EMAIL ADDRESS DATE OF BIRTH PLACE OF BIRTH SERVICE NUMBER HIGHEST RANK OR RELEVANT POSITION HELD OVERALL DATES OF SERVICE OR RELEVANT EXPERIENCE FROM TO DETAILS OF SERVICE OR RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Note The section overleaf provides for a summary of your relevant experience The space below m
27. ing equipment This may include both the recorder and the microphone s A fully charged battery will normally give only four hours recording time Begin each interview with new batteries Make time to have an informal warm up chat before commencing the interview Beginning the interview After pressing record clearly identify your recording by introducing yourself and the veteran by name stating the date and location of the recording and briefly mentioning the topics of the interview If the interview is part of a project include this information You may like to use the template included in this guide Allow time for both of you to warm up particularly if you are not closely acquainted with your interviewee Questions about his or her background such as place of birth place of enlistment and number of family can assist in this as well as providing excellent contextual information for the interview Ask background questions in chronological order When you feel sufficient rapport has been established you can begin to broach the more important or personally sensitive topics 10 During the interview Remember the interviewee is talking to you so maintain eye contact As the interview continues you can react more with your eyes and face dnterjections such as yes hmmm etc are to be avoided if possible They are impossible to remove from the recording and will impair listener s appreciation and use of the intervi
28. le through the OHAA Robertson s book is cited at the end of this guide Please note that the Memorial cannot guarantee the acquisition of any recordings resulting from private interview projects For more information on oral history interviewing nominating someone for interview or on donating a sound recording please contact the Sound curator pfs awm gov au and refer to the oral history nomination form online at http www awm gov au collection sound AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL Contents Page What is an oral history 3 interview Advice for interviewers 4 Intentions of the interview 4 Copyright in the interview 4 Confidentiality 5 Interviewer s Conduct b Managing emotional responses 5 Preparing for an interview 6 Framing the questions 7 Sample questions 7 Conducting an interview 9 Before the interview 9 Prepare the space 9 Positioning of participants 10 Documentation 10 Before pressing record 10 Beginning the interview 10 During the interview 11 Concluding the interview 11 After the interview 12 Identify your recording Templates for documenting the 13 interview Technical Matters 18 Selecting a recording device Features to look for 18 Format of the recording 19 Before recording 20 Microphones 20 Recording Process 20 Alternatives to interviewing 21 Further References 22 Oral history practice 22 Oral
29. ncidents and outline of results Are any specific events places memorable and if so why Encourage anecdotes if their subject is within scope of the interview Life and experiences post deployment Homecoming Where did you return to and to what reception Family friends impact on family friends of your service both at the time and subsequently Any aims or goals you had how or whether they were achieved If applicable discuss any official recognition of bravery and or outstanding service Did your personal perspective or belief system change during or following deployment Discuss any other general recollections of interest including lessons learned contact with well known identities life decisions made as a result of active service 8 n closing invite reflections on the past and hopes or aspirations for the future Questions may take the form of what advice would you give others or a younger self or how would you have done things differently Conducting an interview In addition to research some preparation is required You should consider factors such as the physical space in which you will be interviewing potential interruptions and ambient sounds the physical and emotional comfort of your interviewee and yourself Check that your equipment works and that you know when to break or interrupt the interview Before the interview Preparing the space Choose a quiet room clear of other activitie
30. nesty and integrity Be aware of defamation laws and consider implications for all parties concerned of recording potentially defamatory material Ensure that interviewees are given the opportunity to review correct and or withdraw material Ensure the interviewees understand that he or she should not feel obliged to answer any question which causes distress or compromises security classifications Ensure the interviewees know they can call for a break or cessation of the interview at any time Emotional responses Oral history interviews can renew memories and generate strong emotions As a result of recalling past events the interviewees may experience degrees of stress distress grief anxiety or fatigue You and your interviewee should be assured that this is completely normal Ensure the interviewees understand they may take breaks from or cease the interview if necessary As interviewer you may feel yourself becoming emotionally involved in the story It is wise to monitor your own reactions to the interviewee s story and to allow for breaks if necessary df you intend to conduct many interviews it may be worth familiarising yourself with the literature which describes symptoms and measures for prevention of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma For more information refer to the further references at the end of this guide Other considerations You may be planning to have the interview transcribed This
31. s going on in the residence or building Negotiate to have as few interruptions as possible Third parties including partners and children may be present to support the interviewee but need to remain quiet during the recording Domestic ambient sounds such as those of dishwashers air conditioners washing machines refrigerators ticking clocks television and telephone are distracting to both interviewee and interviewer and affects the overall quality of the recording Close windows and doors to reduce noises such as traffic lawn mowers and children playing Take the phone off the hook and ensure mobile devices are switched off Avoid chewing drinking and moving items such as jewellery and papers close by the recorder Sensitive microphones record the sounds and so detract from the quality of the recording Aim to use a carpeted room with soft furnishings Rooms with shiny surfaces will create an echo or hollow sounding audio in the interview Avoid outdoor interview locations if possible as traffic aircraft and birdlife are common sounds which intrude on the interview and can become very annoying to the listener Microphones are also very sensitive to wind Lapel microphones are recommended if interviewing in an external environment Positioning amp Comfort Use stable high backed chairs with sufficient comfort and support Check that they do not squeak Sit up well and within range of the microphone In a couch there
32. the event of a legal action should the interviewee or their successors later object to the interview being used in a way stated on the form Such forms are routinely used by photographers film makers broadcast radio producers and the like The release form documents the mutual understanding of the interviewee s consent for the interview to be used by the interviewer in the manner stated The interviewee should therefore be encouraged to seek clarification of any details on the release form which cause concern or confusion and a copy of the signed form provided to them The form should include the name and contact details of interviewee and interviewer the purpose for which the interview was recorded the conditions under which the interview may be used accessed or referred to the long term storage location of the recording for example if there is any possibility of the interview being offered to a public institution such as a library or museum The likelihood of an institution s acceptance of the recording is increased if it is accompanied by a clearly worded and signed document which states the interviewee s wishes An unconditional release would contain wording similar to this By signing this release form interviewee name authorise interviewer s name organisation name to use the following personal information consisting of sound and or video recording hereby grant to insert interviewer name and successors or
33. thing on the recorder at that point then the chances are that the rest of the interview is also there If you are unhappy about any parts of the interview ask the interviewee to tell it again It is far better to do it there and then than to have to come back another day Ensure any paperwork required for signature is checked Remember to thank the interviewee for their participation Note that many people even when emotionally affected by their interview are quite often stimulated by the experience It is courteous to chat informally for a time before parting company It is important to demonstrate that the veteran s interview has been worthwhile and meaningful as this provides the veteran with a sense of recognition and affirmation 11 After the Interview f appropriate to your purpose take a photograph of the interviewee in situ This contextualises the interview and rounds out the recording experience as well as offering potential use within a digital story telling project if desired Back up your recording keep copies in at least two different places f you are able to provide copies of the interview to the interviewee He or she may like additional copies for their family friends Be sure to name the file accurately i e with the interviewee s name and the date of the interview or if using cassettes to label the tapes accurately and clearly with ink pen Provide copies of signed release or copyright forms to t
34. ulti purposing they can be played back on the widest variety of equipment A Wav file at 16bit 44 1 kHz is equivalent in quality to a compact disc Playback of audio recorded at this quality will clearly demonstrate its clarity and audibility Please note that the Mp3 format is not considered suitable for capturing original sound as it is highly compressed unstable and not suitable for archival preservation Interconnectivity Ease of retrieval and back up of the recordings is an important consideration Most devices on the market should be able to connect directly to your computer via USB so you can upload and save copies of your recordings This is also important if you plan to be able to edit the recordings and or upload to online platforms websites etc Good memory A Wav file at 16bit 44 1 kHz which is the lowest recommended recording quality will take up about 1GB for about an hour and a half of recording However it is HIGHLY recommended to record at 24 bit 96 khz or 24 bit 48 khz These higher rates will record audio more realistically and provide improved dynamic range A wav file at 24bt 96 khz will use 2 GB per hour of recording Therefore a device with large memory capacity is recommended you don t want to have to worry about running out of storage space in the middle of an interview Models that use flash card SD or even micro SD are a good option as you can then buy bigger or multiple cards to make ensure you are not cau
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