Overview

Oral history is a particularly useful way to capture ordinary people's lived experiences. This innovative book introduces the full array of oral history research methods and invites students and qualitative researchers to try them out in their own work. Using choreography as an organizing metaphor, the author presents creative strategies for collecting, representing, analyzing, and interpreting oral history data. Instructive exercises and activities help readers develop specific skills, such as nonparticipant observation, interviewing, and writing, with a special section on creating found data poems from interview transcripts. Also covered are uses of journals, court transcripts, and other documents; Internet resources, such as social networking sites; and photography and video. Emphasizing a social justice perspective, the book includes excerpts of oral histories from 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, among other detailed case examples.

Full Product Details

Author:   Valerie J. Janesick (University of South Florida, United States) ,  Ruthellen Josselson ,  Sharlene Nagy Hesse-Biber ,  Carolyn Ellis
Publisher:   Guilford Publications
Imprint:   Guilford Publications
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.00cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.430kg
ISBN:  

9781593850739

ISBN 10:   1593850735
Pages:   271
Publication Date:   20 May 2010
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  College/higher education ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
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Table of Contents

I. Order Reinventing Oral History for the Qualitative Researcher *Introduction *Oral History Evolving and a Work in Progress *Mnemosyne, Goddess of Memory *Why Oral History Now? *Sorting Out Oral Traditions *Perspectives *Oral History as a Social Justice Project *On the Critical Importance of Testimony as Oral History *Summary II. Design and Tension The Tools of the Oral Historian: The Choreography of Techniques and Issues *Introduction *Interviewing as a Creative Act of the Imagination *Oral History Interviewing *Types of Interview Questions *Preparing Questions *About Phone Interviews *Some Interviewing Rules of Thumb from the Interviewer's Point of View *Perennial Ethical Issues for the Interviewer *Analyzing and Interpreting Oral History Interview Data *Journal Writing for the Oral Historian and for the Narrator *Documents as Data *Documents, Artifacts, and Photographs to Augment Oral History Reports *Summary III. Balance and Composition Becoming an Oral Historian *Introduction *Writing Up the Narrative *The Researcher's Reflexive Journal *Using Poetry in Oral History to Represent Someone's Story *The Potential and Eloquence of the Narrative in Digital Storytelling *Internet Inquiry, the Wiki World, and Copyleft Agreements for Oral Historians and Qualitative Researchers *Finding Models of Digital Oral History Using Tools of the Web *Awareness of Ethical and Legal Issues *Putting Some Pieces Together: Crafting an Oral History Report *Summary IV. Harmony The Art of Making Sense of Oral History Projects with a Choreography of Social Justice *Introduction *Why I Do Oral History *Hawkins's Theory of Dance, Experience, and Art *Final Reflections Appendices: A. Selected Electronic Resources: Websites and Listservs for the Oral Historian B. Selected Oral History Centers, Archives, and Collections C. Selected Journals That Publish Oral Histories and Related Issues D. Sample Consent Form for Project Undergoing IRB Review E. Basic Contract (Sample) F. Federal Statement on Oral History G. Statement on IRBs from the American Historical Association (Edited) H. List of Choreographers Used for Surnames of Participants I. Practicing the Techniques of Oral History: Strategies and Activities to Sharpen Your Writing Skills J. Excerpt from an Oral History of a 9/11 firefighter K. Excerpt from an Oral History of Hurricane Katrina Survivors L. Example of a Nonparticipant Observation Assignment to Develop Observation Skills M. A Sample Rubric Assessing Writing N. Interview Project Assignment O. Example of a Qualitative Research Methods Syllabus P. An Excerpt of a Transcript (Edited) from an Interview with Jane A. de Mille Q. Digital Equipment for the Oral Historian

Reviews

I love the writing style! It is clear and friendly yet scholarly, and progresses smoothly through ideas and topics. It's very conversational. I recommend this book for any reader seeking a primer on doing oral history. - William G. Tierney, Wilbur-Kieffer Professor of Higher Education, University of Southern California, USA Janesick brings her extensive teaching excellence and research expertise to this book!.Janesick draws out the ethical and social justice dimensions of the practice of oral history by showing the power of this method for uncovering subjugated knowledges and the lives of people who have been marginalized. The choreographic metaphor woven throughout invites the reader to engage in a dance of learning and to feel actively engaged in oral history praxis. This book is a gem! - Sharlene Nagy Hesse-Biber, Department of Sociology and Director, Women's Studies Program, Boston College, USA A lucid, thoughtful guide for the oral history researcher. Written in highly accessible language, the book details the steps involved in doing research on lived experience. The many examples of actual oral history interviews illuminate the processes of both gathering and presenting oral history data. On the cutting edge of the field, the book considers oral history in the digital age and provides links to a variety of related resources. Both novice and experienced oral historians will profit from Janesick's expertise. - Ruthellen Josselson, School of Psychology, Fielding Graduate University, USA Blending theory and practice, the book offers critical insight into oral history as a performative practice. The postmodern perspective and the focus on social justice are important features of the text. - Patrick M. Jenlink, Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, Stephen F. Austin State University, USA A book on oral history methods for the qualitative researcher is certainly needed! This book is especially timely in situating oral history in the context of current professional and societal issues. I also value the framework for positioning oral history in the postmodern context. The book could be used for both professional and class use. It is accessible for beginners, but delves deep enough for professionals to apply the examples to their own work. - Brian D. Schultz, Department of Educational Leadership and Development, Northeastern Illinois University, USA As I embark on a project that involves doing oral histories with Holocaust survivors, this book is exactly what I need for thinking through my own work and for teaching oral history research to graduate students who seek to integrate artistic and social scientific perspectives. Janesick combines a creative approach with useful advice about the nuts and bolts of conducting successful oral history research. I especially appreciated the examples of how to respond to IRB requests and ethical issues, the performance exercises, the insightful discussion of oral history as a social justice project, and the discussions of poetry and digital storytelling. I definitely will use this book in my graduate qualitative methods classes and in classes specifically on oral history. - Carolyn Ellis, Department of Communication, University of South Florida, USA This engaging text is loaded with examples, exercises, handy websites, and references for further reading. Almost any qualitative researcher will get something useful from this book, whether a more reflexive approach to research, a more interactive one, or a better awareness of the origins and history of the techniques we use!.From the initial interviews to the final write-up, Janesick's approach is consistently graceful, self-aware, transparent, and collaborative, with a focus on documenting the lives of ordinary people. - Irene Rubin, Public Administration Division (Professor Emerita), Northern Illinois University, USA

Author Information

Valerie J. Janesick, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of South Florida, USA

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