Finding and
Conducting
Interviews
Why?
• Interviews can provide you with
valuable information on your topic
• Interviews can help you fill in gaps
in your research
• Interviews can provide you with
informed opinions on your topic
• Some interviews allow you to hear
firsthand accounts of your topic
Are Interviews Primary Sources?
• Not all interviews are primary
sources
• Remember, a primary source is…
An artifact of the time period you
are studying. Or was created by
someone who was there.
Primary Source Interviews
You can count your interview as a
primary source if
• The person you are interviewing
participated in the event in history
you are researching
• The person witnessed the topic you
are researching
• The person was directly impacted by
your topic in history**
We call this
• Oral History:
– Recorded story of a person’s life
– The goal is to gather stories not
just about their experiences but
how those experiences influenced
people’s lives
Secondary Source Interviews
Your interview should be listed under
secondary sources if
• The person you are interviewing is
an expert who has researched your
topic but was not there
• The person you are interviewing is a
tour guide at a museum or a staff
person at a library or archive.
• Descendants of historical figures
How to Find People to Interview
• University/ College Professors
• Authors of your secondary
sources
• Historical Societies or
Museums on your topic
• Special interest organizations
– Military-related topics- local
VFW or American Legion
• Internet searches!
Interviewer
• The person who asks the
questions and records the
interview
• Decide the topic and questions
to ask
Interviewee
• The person being interviewed
• Should be someone who
experienced the topic you want
to explore
Setting Up Your Interview
• Explain who you are and the purpose of
the interview
• Schedule at least 2 weeks in advance
• Be sure to set up at least 45 minutes with
the person. If you will be longer than 2
hours set up 2 interviews
• Remember that people are busy, so give
them time to respond
• Don’t just rely on email. If you don’t hear
back after a few days, call them.
Setting Up Your Interview
• Set up interviews in a location the
person will be most comfortable in
and it should be a quiet location
• Don’t forget about Skype!
• Make sure to confirm the address
and time before the interview date
Preparing for Interviews
• Read lots of secondary sources first
– Understand the basics of your topic,
background and effects
• Look through some primary sources
– You might be able to discuss some of
these with your interviewee
• Test your equipment
– Do you need batteries? Is there enough
memory card space? Do you know how
everything works?
Developing Interview Questions
• Create a list of 8-10 questions before the
interview
• Avoid yes or no questions
• Don’t ask leading questions
• Ask more detailed questions
– Remember the goal of the interview is not for
them to tell you everything they know on the
subject
– Goal= fill in gaps and to help you make sense
of what you have already learned
• Ask them if they have suggestions for your
research if know of other locations you
could find sources
Developing Interview Questions
• Oral history
– Ask them how they felt, how it impacted
them, how it affected those around
them
– Don’t get hung up on specific dates
• Experts
– Great resource to help you understand
context
– Ask questions about topic’s
significance in history
Conducting the Interview
• Introduce yourself and thank the
person
• Explain the purpose of the interview
and how you plan on using it in your
project
• Set up equipment and test it by having
saying your name, date, and then have
them state their name and title
• Have the interviewee sign a consent
form
Conducting the Interview
•
•
•
•
Let the person talk
Give the person time to think
Be a good listener
Ask follow up questions
– Ask them to spell names, locations,
or words you are unsure of
• It’s OK if the questions/answers go in a
different direction than you planned
• Leave time at the end
Conducting the Interview
• If you are recording the
interview and plan on using it
for your project, it’s always a
good idea to ask them to
include the question in their
answer
– Question: “What was it like
growing up in Westerville?”
– Answer: “Growing up in
Westerville…”
INTERVIEW
Filming Interviews
technical tips
After the Interview
• Send a thank you note to the person
you interviewed
• Transcribe your interview
– Write down what was said word for
word
– Leave out umm’s and ahh’s
• Corroborate information
– Compare it to information you have
already gathered
Transcript
• A written or typed copy of
everything that is said during the
interview
• Usually historians will film or
record the interview and type up a
transcript from the recording to
ensure everything is included
Let’s Try!
• Topic: Rosa Parks & Civil Rights
Movement
• Come up with at least 2 questions
you would ask Ms. Parks
• Come up with at 2 questions you
would ask a historian/expert about
Parks and/or the Civil Rights
Movement
Questions?