Oral history methods

Christos Chrysanthopoulos and Eleni Kyramargiou

Chapter 25 in Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Research Methods in the Social Sciences, 2026, pp 181-185 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Oral history has emerged as a powerful interdisciplinary methodology that challenges traditional historiographical paradigms by centring personal narratives, memory and lived experience. Since the postwar period, oral history has evolved from a marginal practice to a globally recognised field, influencing social sciences, humanities, education and public history. This entry explores oral history research's foundational principles, methodological practices and ethical dimensions, including interview planning, transcription, analysis and archiving. Emphasis is placed on memory and subjectivity, the technological mediation of testimony and the collaborative relationship between interviewer and narrator. The expansion of digital technologies has transformed oral history's accessibility and practice, while also raising critical questions about data preservation, privacy and interpretation. This overview demonstrates how oral history contributes to a more inclusive and participatory understanding of the past, particularly in the study of marginalised communities and contested histories.

Keywords: Oral History; Memory Studies; Interview Methodology; Qualitative Research Methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781803921297
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