Oral history involves collecting personal accounts of historical events through recorded interviews. It became popular in the 1960s/70s as a way to preserve marginalized communities' stories. Oral histories are used in fields like history, anthropology, and sociology. Researchers must identify knowledgeable interview subjects and ask prepared yet flexible questions. While criticism exists, oral histories can provide unique perspectives not found elsewhere, making it a valuable research method when practiced ethically.

1. AN
INTRODUCTION
TO ORAL
HISTORY
by MST MARIFA AKTER

2. 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.
Oral history is a method
of preserving and
presenting historical
information through
spoken accounts of past
events.
What is Oral
History?

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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
and to be flexible enough to allow
interviewees to take the conversation
in new directions. Recording and
transcribing the interviews is also
essential for later analysis.
Applying Oral History for Research

6. There are several methods and
techniques used in oral history,
including structured interviews,
unstructured interviews, life history
interviews, and group interviews.
Methods and Techniques of Oral Histories
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.

7. 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.
Prominent works Originated from Oral
Histories
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.

8. 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.
Acceptance of Oral History

9. Some of the main limitations and
controversies surrounding oral history include
concerns about the reliability and validity of
the information collected, questions about the
ethics of collecting personal narratives
without proper informed consent or privacy
protections, and debates about the role of the
researcher in interpreting and analyzing the
information collected. To address these
concerns, it is important for researchers to
carefully design their research questions and
interview guides, obtain informed consent
from interviewees, and take steps to ensure
the privacy and confidentiality of the
information collected.
Limitations or Controversies on Oral
History

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

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

12. 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.
Conclusion