Global Women's History (Yale-NUS College): Sources

"Oral history is a catch-all term applied to two things. It refers to the process of conducting and recording interviews with people in order to elicit information from them about the past. But an oral history is also the product of that interview, the narrative account of past events. It is then both a research methodology (a means of conducting an investigation) and the result of the research process; in other words, it is both the act of recording and the record that is produced." - Oral History Theory p. 2

When conducting an oral history interview you will need to consider the purpose of your interview, questions and questioning techniques, recording methodology and technology, and preservation methods among other things. Click on the tabs above to look at existing oral history work for inspiration, and access the books, websites, and journals which provide guidance and advice for doing oral history.

Diaries and letters, created at the time of a subject of study, are primary sources. First hand accounts from both observers and important historical figures are rich historical sources. You can use published letters and diaries or search a primary source database to find and access these first hand accounts. Consult books and online guides on interpreting these primary sources.

In order to explore the history of a current women's issue in a specific country you can consult both primary and secondary sources. Consult some of the sources for current women's issues for inspiration. Once you have chosen an issue, explore primary and secondary sources for that issue.