Humanities Research: Personal Communication

Personal communication involves directly discussing a topic with another person with expertise, either because they have firsthand accounts of an event or experience or because they are an expert in a topic. Lived experiences can be useful for local and niche topics. Personal communication could involve a synchronous interview in-person or by phone/video, or asynchronous communication like an email or text message.

To find someone to interview as a primary source, start by identifying experts or people with direct experience related to your topic. You might ask a friend or family member who may have experience with a topic or lived through a historical event. You can also reach out to professors, librarians, professionals in the field or museum, or professional organizations.

Scheduling the Interview

When requesting an interview, introduce yourself, explain your research, and propose several dates and times to make scheduling easier. Ask for their preferred method (Zoom, phone, or in-person) and mention if you plan to record, requesting their permission. Confirm all details before the interview.

Research Ahead of Time

Before the interview, ensure you have a strong grasp of the topic related to your research paper. This background knowledge will allow you to ask deeper, more thoughtful questions and connect the expert's insights to your own thoughts. You should also research a little about the expert's background and role.

Have Prepared Questions

Craft questions that are open-ended and encourage the expert to share their personal experiences, opinions, and interpretations. Focus on drawing out insights that directly relate to your paper. Since experts are often busy, be respectful of their time by keeping the interview within the agreed-upon time and ensuring your questions are created in advance.

Be Engaged

Begin your interview with an introduction about your research, followed by a mix of general and specific questions. End with an open-ended question to allow the expert to share anything they feel might be important for your research. During the interview, listen carefully and consider asking clarifying or follow-up questions based on what they say. While you should have prepared questions, be flexible. If the expert introduces an unexpected idea or valuable insight, feel free to explore it.

Say Thank You!

Afterward, thank the expert for their time. You might consider offering to send them a draft of your paper or any sections that include their input. They may offer additional resources or clarifications that could further strengthen your paper.

1. Interviewee or sender
2. Description of communication
3. Date

Interviewee. Type of interview with the author. Date.

Sender. E-mail/Text message to the author. Date.

Gómez, Andrés. Zoom interview with the author. 12 Nov. 2024.

Jansen, Emma. Telephone interview with the author. 30 June 2021.

Patel, Ananya. Text message to the author. 12 Jan. 2025.

Smith, John. E-mail to the author. 14 May 2022.