Project Study: Understanding Interview Techniques

"Primary responsibility for initiating and directing the course of an oral history falls to the interviewer."


Basic Techniques

Investigative Interview Suggestions

Oral History Interview Techniques
(The Center of Military History contact information)

A Study of Interviewing Techniques

I - The Basic Interview

1) Learning the Subject

• Find the story in your subject.
• Define story progression.
• Create a quick history timeline.
• Draft questions that will elicit useful information.
• Be aware of gaps and inconsistencies in the available source materials.
• Create questions to clarify and confirm available records.

2) Preparing for the Interview

• Make an appointment with the subject.
• Define desired structure of interview.
• Define desired goals and topics.
• Write your questions down before the interview.
• Be prepared to take a different path of questioning.
• Create clear questions.

3) Supplies

• Standard cassette recorder.
• Extra batteries.
• Extra tapes.
• Pen and paper.
• Any film equipment necessary.
• Make sure to test all equipment.

4) Conducting the Interview

• Be on time.
• Be friendly, courteous and casual.
  
• Ask questions clearly.
• Don't interrupt!
• Precisely define the issue.
• Ask specific, thought-provoking questions. Avoid yes/no answers.
• Stay focused, but if something interesting comes up go with it.
• Take good notes.
• Ask the subject to repeat comments if necessary.
• Don't volunteer information unless it is relevant to your goals.
• Obtain all the information needed before ending the interview.
• The interview should be carefully planned out and structured to achieve the desired goals.
• All similar questions should be covered in their entirety before moving to another topic.
• Encourage the subject to focus attention on one particular area at a time.
• Vague questions may cause the subject to exhibit misleading behavior.
• Careful thought should go to covering all important areas.
• Ask necessary follow-up questions.
• Observe the subject’s verbal and nonverbal behavior.
• Thank the subject for his/her time.
• Get contact information for further questions.
  

A Study of the Effects of Low Frequency Sound and Infrasound

Low frequency sound (LFS) and particularly infrasound have intrinsically mysterious effects as they generally bypass the ear mechanism and are predominantly felt and not heard. This coupling of sound directly to the body may be responsible for feelings of anxiety due to a lack of cognitive resolution within the individual.

As a Military Weapon:

Borderlands.com

In a Concert Environment:

Audioasylum.com

As Physical Therapy:

Trauma Thesis

Notes:
General Sound Information
a) Sound perceptible to humans 20Hz - 20kHz
b) Pain begins about 120dB, eardrum ruptures at 160dB
c) Frequencies above 20kHz = ultrasound, below 20Hz = infrasound (LFS)

Qualities of LFS
a) Inaudible
b) Undetectable on most barometric equipment
c) Invisible (of course, it is sound)
d) No solid barrier known to change the frequency
e) Can be disrupted by opposing sound waves
f) Travels along the ground - Low frequencies "hug the ground"
g) Long wavelength
h) Low material absorption
i) Travels vast distances
j) Almost impossible to pinpoint origin of LFS

LFS Effects on Humans
a) Nausea
b) Disorientation
c) Fear
d) Deep Sorrow
e) Nervous Feelings
f) Revultion
g) Gagging
h) Strong heat in areas with pocket air (mouth, ear, between fingers)(165dB)
i) *Range of Death* 3-7 cycles/second

LFS *Range of Death* Effects
a) Extreme physical pressure
b) Pain in ears and eyes
c) Simply- you get vibrated apart

LFS Human Tolerances
a) Non-lethal 40 - 100 cycles/sec

b) 100 cycles/sec Effects
i) mild nausea
ii) giddiness
iii) skin flush and tingle

c) 60 - 73 cycles/sec Effects
i) coughing/choking
ii) inability to breathe and sternal pain
iii) abdominal pain

d) 43 - 73 cycles/sec Effects
i) intelligence falls to 77% of normal ability

Questions Posed?
1) Research Tesla's LFS Energy Board
2) Research Test for Fear Frequency
3) Is there a LFS generator available?
4) Is there a LFS detection machine available?
5) Could Theatre Acoustics change the sound outcome?
6) Is there a frequency that raises blood pressure but does not cause nausea?
7) Is LFS legal to experiment with?
8) Definitely become more educated about LFS before experimentation.