Oral History Project


Society for Applied Anthropology Oral History Project Guidance for Interviews The goal of the Society for Applied Anthropology Oral History Project is the documentation of applied and practicing anthropology through recorded oral history interviews that are properly archived, transcribed, and disseminated. Topics which are important to the project include the experiences of applied and practicing anthropologists in various domains of application in the past, the history of precedent - setting projects, the history of the Society for Applied Anthropology and other related organizations and the history of applied and practicing anthropology training programs. Special attention will be directed to interviewing persons that have received awards from the Society. The project also attempts to identify related resources such as oral history interviews relating to the history of application and practice in anthropology. The interviews are done by volunteers who for the most part are members of the Society. Suggestions for persons to be interviewed and volunteers to do interviews are welcome. Some Technical Information about Audio Recording Audio-cassette tapes. The tapes we recommend you use should be good quality (Sony, Memorex, BASF, Scotch, etc.) because these seem to be more durable. The length that we recommend is sixty minute or perhaps 90 minutes. Do not use 120 minute tapes as they are thin and prone to stretching and breakage. There is no need to purchase tape which is manufactured for better sound reproduction. Every tape you submit should have an external label attached that includes your name, the name of the person you interview, and the date. In addition it is good practice to record the same information at the beginning of the interview. Digital Audio Recordings. Recordings can be submitted digital format as either .wav or .mp3 files. These can be sent via the internet or by mail recorded on a cdrom. Our host, the University of Kentucky Oral History Program is starting the process of converting their collection to digital format. Video Recordings. Video recorded interviews are also welcomed. Sound Quality. In doing the interview be careful with sound quality, especially balance between the two participants. Poor quality sound increases the costs of transcription and decreases the accuracy. It is often useful to practice recording with the equipment you will be using so as to reduce errors and distractions. Release Form. It is important to fill out the release form that is provided. This form transfers the copyright of the recording. It is possible to put conditions of use on the recording and transcript. There may be reasons to delay public access to the content for a period of time. What To Do When Finished. When you are finished send the completed recording and signed release form to John van Willigen, Department of Anthropology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506. The completed tape will be archived, transcribed and made available for scholarly use. The transcription will be produced by a professional transcriber and then reviewed by an editor familiar with the content so as to improve the accuracy of the transcription. The transcript will be made available for study at the University of Kentucky Library. Some transcripts will be made available on the Internet While this is not encouraged it is possible to restrict usage. Interview Protocol. We have prepared an information sheet for planning interviews. The SFAA Oral History committee would be willing to give advice on this aspect of the interview if desired. Citation of Interviews. The interview, once completed, transcribed, reviewed and made available for study, becomes a kind of publication that the interviewer will be able to cite. Suggested Format of Citation for SfAA Project is provided below with example. Interview with (interviewee) by (interviewer), Applied Anthropology Oral History Project of the Society for Applied Anthropology, (date and place of interview), (page of transcript if applicable or total pages, i.e. XX pp.), in the Oral History Collection of the University of Kentucky. An Example: Interview with John W. Bennett by Robert L. Canfield, Applied Anthropology Oral History Project of the Society for Applied Anthropology, July 18 and 22, St. Louis, Missouri, 31 pp., in the Oral History Collection of the University of Kentucky. Oral Hisotry Project Archives The finished interviews completed through the SfAA Oral History project are archived at the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History at the University of Kentucky Libraries. The URL for the SfAA Collection is: http://www.kentuckyoralhistory.org/collections/society-applied-anthropology-oral-history-project Oral History Project Documents SfAA Oral History Interview Suggested Topics SfAA Oral History Interview Release Form Michael M. Cernea--Judith Freidenberg: Oral History Interview Robert E. Rhoades--John Van Willigen: Oral History Interview Paul L. Doughty--John Van Willigen: Oral History Interview Art Hansen--Martha Rees: Oral History Interview Gretchen Schafft--Willis Sibley: Oral History Interview David Fetterman--Charles Darrah: Oral History Interview John W. Bennett--Robert L. Canfield: Oral History Interview Philip Stafford--John Van Willigen: Oral History Interivew William Adams--John Van Willigen: Oral History Interview William and Nettie Adams--John Van Willigen: Oral History Interview James M. Acheson--Susan Abbott-Jamieson: Oral History Interview Carol A. Bryant--John Van Willigen: Oral History Interview Noel Chrisman--Elizabeth Strober: Oral History Interview Lucy Cohen-Barbara Rylko-Bauer : Oral History Interview

Society for Applied Anthropology Oral History Project Guidance for Interviews

Society for Applied Anthropology Oral History Project
Guidance for Interviews