A Research On Oral History Collecting Projects Of Science

Oral is not only an interdisciplinary branch but also a research method, which makes great influences on Archival Science, History, Social Science and other subjects. In 1948, the establishment of the Columbia University Oral History Research Office marked the beginning of modern research in oral history. Some western countries, especially USA and the UK, come to realize that oral history could help make the voices of social groups audible, as well as supplementing the official history from another point of view. Since 1950s, it is a pity that a number of scientists like Albert Einstein and Erwin Schrodinger passed away without leaving any audio and videotape records. And this is definitely a great loss to the history of science. Therefore, archivists and historians begin to recognize the urgent need for collecting and saving memories of scientists. And research on oral history of science have also been one of the prominent areas in the study of oral historical archives. Nevertheless, studies of oral historical archives come into sight of Chinese scholars until 1980s, and the practice of which is relatively rare. As the collection of oral history of science is a race against time, it is necessary to further specify the collection system and process of oral history of science.Firstly, this thesis illustrates the background of oral history of science, discussing the significance of study from four aspects,i.e. subject development, its theory, archive science and social value. An attempt is made to build a scientific and efficient technical framework by introducing project management theory, and combining collection system and methods of oral historical archives in archive science and history. Secondly, through online survey and literature research into oral historical archives of science both at home and abroad, the author learn about the development of oral history of science and some strategies of tackling problems during the archival collecting. Thirdly, based on the experience of participating oral history of science project, the author built a theoretical framework with resource allocation, decision-making and consulting, operating and guarantee. To be specific, resource allocation includes setting of team members, team member training, expense management and time management in the oral history of science project. Decision-making and consulting provides decisions for subjects of oral history, selection of interviewees, and project planning. Consulting refers to suggestions from other organizations if there were any problems during the projects. Operating is a core component in the project of oral historical archives of science. Based on the sequence of interview, the author divided it into three parts, pre-interview, while-interview and post-interview, each of which with further discussion in detail separately. Guarantee serves as a constraint on the project, controlling the collection of oral historical archives reasonably and legally. Through the introduction and reference of related theory and project experience abroad, the author tried to build a scientific and normative collecting mechanism in line with China’s practice in the study of oral historical archives of science.