LibGuides: USP 142A: Urban Challenges: Homelessness in San Diego: Oral History Resources

Oral history resources

There are many books in the library to help you understand the process of conducting oral histories; we've highlighted a few below. You can find additional titles in the library catalog by clicking these subject headings:

Oral history - Handbooks, manuals

Oral history -- Methodology

Interviewing -- Handbooks, manuals, etc

Catching Stories by Donna M. DeBlasio; Charles F. Ganzert; David H. Mould; Stephen H. Paschen; Howard L. Sacks; Donna Marie DeBlasio
Publication Date: 2009-05-04
"Catching Stories: A Practical Guide to Oral History is a clear and comprehensive introduction for those with little or no experience in planning or undertaking oral history projects. Opening with the key question, "Why do oral history?" the guide outlines the stages of a project from idea to final product--planning and research, the interviewing process, basic technical principles, and audio and video recording techniques."
Doing Oral History by Donald A. Ritchie
Publication Date: 2014-10-17
Electronic access. "Doing Oral History: A Practical Guide is considered the premier guidebook to oral history, used by professional oral historians, public historians, archivists, and genealogists as a core text in college courses and throughout the public history community."
Recording Oral History by Valerie Raleigh Yow
Publication Date: 2005-04-07
"One of the most widely used and highly regarded textbooks ever published in the field, Yow's updated edition now includes new material on using the internet, an examination of the interactions between oral history and memory processes, and analysis of testimony and the interpretation of meanings in different contexts."
The Routledge Guide to Interviewing by Sean McConville; Anna Bryson
ISBN: 9781315882239
Publication Date: 2013-10-30
Sets out a well-tested and practical approach and methodology: what works, difficulties and dangers to avoid and key questions which must be answered before you set out. Background methodological issues and arguments are considered and drawn upon but the focus is on what is ethical, legally acceptable and productive.

Helpful Websites

Oral History
Tips from the Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill.
Oral History - Methodologies and Sources
A great "how to" guide from Duke University.

SAGE Research Methods

This database includes books, reference works and journal articles from across the social sciences.

The resources cover every aspect of research skills training and can help researchers at all levels through every step of the research process.

I recommend starting at the Methods Map page and typing "oral history" (without quotes) in the search box; after making your selection, click the blue "search all content" link to find relevant materials.