Before beginning an oral history project, a researcher should understand the advantages and disadvantages of oral history research, as well as what it is. Newton, who was a distinguished british historian in the early 20th century, believed that there was no african history because most of the african society was. Written by linda shopes, this guide presents an overview of oral history and ways historians use it, tips on questions to ask when reading or listening to oral history interviews, a sample. Historical research has limitations in applying proper and creditworthy chronology to clarify the data. The weaknesses and strengths of oral history military. I argue that there are limits to the application of oral history. The problem lays arguments of whether oral history is reliable. It provides scholarship that troubles both the possibilities and limitations of oral history in relation to the pedagogical and curricular redress of historical harms. Strengths and weaknesses of oral history as a research method free download as word doc.
In regional or local history, the families play a predominate role. Ethics and methodology amid highly politicized research settings is intended to promote discussion among oral historians about the distinct theoretical, ethical and methodological challenges that emerge when working in highly politicized research settings those in which government seek to. Oral history is as old as the first recorded history and as new as the latest digital recorder. It documents forms of discourse normally not documented and it emphasizes the significance of human experience. Ethics and methodology amid highly politicized research settings is intended to promote discussion among oral. What are the strengths and limitations of using biography, autobiography and oral history as historical sources. Identify your narratorwho can tell interesting stories, who has lived through a unique time period, who can document an era for which little other information exists. Preserving oral history is a critical first phase of genealogical research and data preservation. Part of our mission is to assist you in exploring oral history. Army painting operations during the gulf war by chris causley, no.
Only what the government allows the public to know. Oral history guidelines texas historical commission. Its their duty to remember it and share it to those who wish to hear it. However, the use of oral sources in historical reconstruction is replete with difficulties of which the problem of chronology is outstanding. The use of oral histories in researchthe use of oral histories in research the modern concept of oral history or biographical research was developed in the. By interviewing people who have memories of the past or who retain recollections given to them by members of older generations we have a potentially very productive way of discovering and preserving the. By interviewing people who have memories of the past or who retain recollections given to them by members of older generations we have a potentially very productive way of discovering and preserving the history of parish congregations and communities. Oral history can give a voice to individuals and groups who are sometimes marginalized in conventional histories the working classes, women and ethnic minorities, for instance. Oral history enhances a historians broad range of historical resources, including primary and secondary sources used to reference the past.
Issues, challenges and prospects ezekiel oladele adeoti and james olusegun adeyeri department of history and international studies, lagos state university, lasu, ojo, nigeria. Oral history tends to be more important to nonwriting peoples as it is the means by which they learn to memorise the history of their people. Problems for practitioners of oral history the american archivist. The limitations of history to the field of intelligence. I believe oral history depends positively in our society because oral teaches something. Strengths and weaknesses of oral history premium assignment. Overall oral history is based off the memory of the individuals who know it. The combination of autobiography, biography and oral history is enrichment to the study of history through placing an emphasis on the role that personalities and individuals have in historical events. Oral historians have responded to these criticisms both by seeking to demonstrate how oral history can be subjected to the same checks and balances as other forms of historical analysis but also, and more importantly, by arguing that some of the supposed weaknesses or peculiarities of oral history are not limitations at all.
May 05, 2010 greetings, a letter from a gulf war veteran recently reminded me of the strength and weakness of oral history. Nov 24, 2016 oral historians have responded to these criticisms both by seeking to demonstrate how oral history can be subjected to the same checks and balances as other forms of historical analysis but also, and more importantly, by arguing that some of the supposed weaknesses or peculiarities of oral history are not limitations at all. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. As the torrent of water dried up for the first time in thousands of years, it revealed a. Oral historical data is obtained through conducting interviews, video and audio recordings whereby the interviewees recount past events and experiences. Pdf sources of historical study, primary, secondary and. North american oral history association, as quoted by thomson, 1998, p. Oral tradition benefits transmission of cultural values and firsthand historical events in a way that makes listeners more active participants in receiving information.
Strengths and weaknesses of oral history as a research. Refreflllleeeections on the use of oral history tctions on. It is the study of the past, particularly how it relates to humans. Oral history is the study of historical information recording of interview with people having personal knowledge of past events. Strengths and weaknesses of oral history as a research method. Greetings, a letter from a gulf war veteran recently reminded me of the strength and weakness of oral history.
Strengths and weaknesses of oral history oral history is one of the earliest methods of recording chronological events. What are the advantages and limitations of oral tradition as. Despite these limitations, however, the study of history is a useful tool for intelligence historians. Pdf is often associated with paperless office and used for printing and designing. Oral tradition offers the advantages of inducing open communication and verifiable firsthand knowledge of events from a historical reference point. I argue that there are limits to the application of oral history, particularly when. Introduction memory is still recognized as the raw material of. Change is obvious to the eye, but oral history allows people to express the personal consequences of change, from the simple things of lifewood stove to microwave, dial phone to cell phone, phonograph to ipodto the more complexyellow dog democrat to moral. Making sense of oral history offers a place for students and teachers to begin working with oral history as historical evidence. Chapter seven limitations of the study, and recommendations for future research 7. Ask questions, doubts, problems and we will help you. Oral history teaches us what has changed and what has stayed the same over time.
Advantages and disadvantages of pdf format logaster. However, as a specific endeavor of the recognized historical profession, oral history finds its place in a. Advantages and disadvantages of oral tradition oral tradition can be defined as testimony transmitted by word of mouth from one generation to another. For many years, authors have written myths, fables and parables. The main weakness of oral history as a research method regarding this is that woman tend to outlive men by at least 10 years and 85% of people over 100 are women, so unfortunately if a historical event has happened 70 years ago for example world war 2, the pool of men that can be selected would be very small compared to that of women. Without doubt, we are able to learn about past events via oral means.
The bridge project is currently exploring whether the lack of compatibility between high school and higher education policies and practices hinders. Many ancient scholars believed africa had no history prior to colonialism because there was no documented evidence. Oral history is one of the oldest, best known, and most often used methods in qualitative research. Oral communication is generally recommended when the. Pdf oral histories as critical qualitative inquiry in. Oral tradition does not maintain the same value of the oral history.
It includes individuals conversing with each other, be it direct conversation or telephonic conversation. This helps people retain what they learn and generates individuals who are capable of continuing these oral traditions. Dr marietjie oelofse department of history, university of the free state. Oral history interviews with participants in historical events values. Pdf can be opened on any device with any operating system in exactly the same form in which it was created. Reflections on the use of oral history t ctions on the use of oral. In the eighteenth century, samuel johnson commented that. Yet it is difficult to obtain information about the pitfalls, the possibili ties, the techniques, the advantages, and the disadvantages of oral history. Oral history helps round out the story of the past. Historians and history teachers have a wide range of primary sources.
What are the advantages and limitations of oral tradition. Oral history has benefits that no other historical source provides. Critics such as hobsbawm 1997 are quick to highlight the limitations of oral histories and suggest that oral histories rely heavily on memory, which can be. History can clarify events, and offer guidance and guidelines for decisions to intelligence practitioners. Oral history captures individuals everyday perspectives, unique life experiences, speech patterns, use of language and contemporary mannerisms. Lesson 1 oral history japanese american national museum. Make sure this person is in reasonable health for their age, with a good memory and has. Qualitative methods such as focus groups and interviews are common methodologies employed in participatory approaches to community health assessment to develop effective community health improvement plans. Oral history provides a fuller, more accurate picture of the past by augmenting the information provided by public records, statistical data, photographs, maps, letters, diaries, and other historical materials. The oral history project is worth 15%, or 15 points, of your course grade. Because oral history depends upon living people as sources, we have limits. Oral history is the collection and recording of personal memoirs as historical documentation.
The combination of autobiography, biography and oral history is enrichment to the study of history through placing an emphasis on the role that personalities and individuals have in. Oral history is an antidote to traditional history, that is always in danger of slipping into official history, bolstering the outlook on one particular group over the interests and values of others. Oral communication implies communication through mouth. Dec 04, 2016 advantages and disadvantages of oral tradition oral tradition can be defined as testimony transmitted by word of mouth from one generation to another. Selection of the case study sites the selection of the case study sites is best understood within the larger context of the bridge project. Perspectives exposed through oral history are relative truths that can be weighed in piecing together historical dialogues.
The symposium on archival research in the history of psychology was held on 31 august 1973 in montreal, canada, in the framework of the 81st annual conference of the american psychological association, joined by the canadian psychological association. Limitation of oral history homework help mycbseguide. Advantages and challenges of employing oral history interviewing as part of a research project this chapter focuses. Disadvantages of oral traditions in history free essays. However, as a specific endeavor of the recognized historical profession, oral history finds its place in a more recent approach to historical methodology, specifically the new. Limitations in the research design and methods of data analysis are also discussed, and recommendations are made for future research with the soc scale. Oral histories are stories that living individuals tell about their past, or about the past of other people. Essential question how does preparing for, conducting, and processing oral histories contribute to the interviewers under. Oral communication meaning, advantages and limitations. Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering and preserving the voices and memories of people. Oral history was established in 1948 as a modern technique for historical documentation when columbia university historian allan nevins began recording the memoirs of persons significant in american life. If their disclosure was anticipated could have been manipulated, perhaps to conceal scandalous happenings or illegal maneuverings, or to maintain the image of the government concerned. He wrote to share some personal memories after reading an article in military vehicles magazine on vehicle paint schemes during the united states first war in the gulf.
What are the advantages and disadvantage of using oral. Thus, the writing of family history is an absolute necessity in the reconstruction of regional or local history. From fact finding to history shaping nicholas mariner oral history can be seen as the earliest form of historical inquiry. Some values and limitations of oral histories mcpherson. The challenges and limitations of developing a reconciliatory pedagogy using oral history with south african preservice and inservice history teachers reville jess nussey a thesis submitted to the wits school of education, faculty of humanities, university of the witwatersrand in fulfilment of the. This is possible because of nature of transmission itself. It can provide new information, alternative explanations and different insights which are potentially of enormous value. At the very least, we must be aware of the limitations of oral history in order not to mislead ourselves into believing that oral history automatically yields accurate renditions of past events. Before beginning an oral history project, a researcher should understand the advantages and disadvantages of oral history research, as well as what it is and what it isnt.
Speeches, presentations, discussions are all forms of oral communication. This chapter begins with an overview of the histories of oral history and its use within different. This book addresses oral history as a form of education for redress and reconciliation. In this methodology, the application of oral history is one of the ways in which answers to. Oral history is normally not the best method for obtaining factual. Refreflllleeeections on the use of oral history tctions on the use of oral history tctions on the use of oral history techniques in echniques in. In addition to the workshops that we offer to community groups, we are happy to provide this manual as a resource and guide to oral history interviewing. The following are disadvantages of oral traditions. Long before the practice acquired a name and standard procedures, historians conducted interviews to gain insight into great events, beginning at least as early as thucydides, who used oral history for his account of the peloponnesian wars. Oral history must be preserved in proper archives of oral history. Oral tradition and memory of individuals supply considerable data for such writings. What are the advantages and disadvantage of using oral source. Here the information is obtained by talking and listening to people with historical information.
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