Interviewing
Purpose of the role
- To interview individuals selected by the project team
- To record their memories using digital recording equipment provided by the University of Exeter
- To prepare the recordings for archiving
- To transcribe the recordings to create searchable text documents
Requisite skills/experience
- An interest in people and their stories
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work independently
- A good understanding of the need for confidentiality
- Accurate typing skills (for transcribing interviews)
- Previous experience in oral history would be an advantage
- An interest in history – in particular the history of mental health care
- Reliability, trustworthiness, responsibility
- Ability to travel within Devon
Information for volunteers
- Interviews will be conducted in various locations in Devon
- Transcribing the interviews can be done at home
- All interviewing volunteers will be interviewed and may require a DBS check
- Volunteers will receive a comprehensive induction and training in using any relevant equipment
- New volunteers will be supported by staff and experienced volunteers, including dealing with potentially distressing content
Setting up and conducting an interview
Prior to the interview
- Agree a convenient time and place (plenty of time, no background noise, good access etc.)
- Make sure interviewee has all information necessary (mention that you will want to audio record the interview)
- Contact interviewee again (if the interview is a few days’ away)
On the interview day
- Go through the information again and give the interviewee a chance to ask questions
- Reassure about confidentiality
- Take consent – copy for interviewee
- Follow topic guide flexibly, give interviewee time to reflect and respond, prompt where necessary
- Give signals when coming to the end of the interview
Your needs
- Safety – leave details with a fellow volunteer and arrange to contact him/her when the interview is over
- Interviewing can be draining - talk to someone afterwards