Analysing oral history: A new approach when linking method to methodology

Abstract

This paper discusses a pragmatic and innovative approach to the data analysis of oral testimonies when used within a methodological framework of Historiography. Oral testimony is increasingly perceived as an exciting research method within the nursing discipline. However, the availability of a clear method to guide the researcher in their analysis of oral testimonies as the primary data for a Historiography is limited. A practical approach to the interpretation of oral testimony is needed to ensure the continued and successful use of Historiography as a valued research methodology in nursing science. The primary discussion revolves around the explication of a four‐stage method proposed as a pragmatic tool for the analysis of oral testimonies. Theoretical literature from the Historian, Paul Thompson and Pragmatist Philosopher, Richard Rorty is drawn upon to bring validity and reliability to the proposed method of analysis. This new technique can be easily used by nurses and many other disciplines in their efforts to efficiently analyse the qualitative data obtained from oral testimonies.

Oral Histories of Nurse‐Midwives in Georgia, 1970‐1989: Blazing Trails, Building Fences, Raising Towers

“…Miller‐Rosser and colleagues’ work on analyzing oral history guided data analysis. After the interview process, biographies of the narrators were written and used to construct a timeline of events.…”

Protecting and respecting military nurses

“…This oral history project, focusing on military nurses, contributes to the preservation of the history of nursing. ‘Oral testimony is increasingly perceived as an exciting research method within the nursing discipline’ 7 . Following institutional review board approval, 255 nurses who served in the military participated in audio‐taped interviews ranging from less than an hour to 6 hours with the investigator.…”

“…Focused analysis was based on Miller‐Rosser et al . 's 7 suggestions for analysing oral history, including extracting significant words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs from the transcripts reporting the perspectives of military nurses. These were grouped into themes as appropriate for historical research.…”

“…'Oral testimony is increasingly perceived as an exciting research method within the nursing discipline'. 7 Following institutional review board approval, 255 nurses who served in the military participated in audio-taped interviews ranging from less than an hour to 6 hours with the investigator. Interviews were transcribed and returned to the participants for editing.…”

Experiences of the civilian Iranian operating room nurses: A historical survey of the Iran-Iraq war

“…Common experiences of civilian nurses serving in the field hospitals and emergency departments formed the framework of this study. Iranian operating room nurses in Iran-Iraq war Historical researchmethodology and oral history method were used to collect the experiences of the nurses engaged in the operating rooms of field hospitals (12,13). In 1948, Professor Allan Nevins from Colombia University proposedthe oral history method as the process of recording the recounted memories of authorized professionals.…”