Inaccurate or incomplete records may bias historical analyses. Interviews and life
histories help answer questions about meaning, symbolism, or some other aspect of
social life which is difficult to record numerically. In the structured interview, the
researcher asks the respondent a series of questions and records the answers by
writing or tape recording them. Similarly, the life history involves a long interview
or series of interviews through which the researcher attempts to discover essential
features or turning points in the respondent’s life. Usually the initial questions are
general. As the interview progresses the researcher will gently prod the respondent
to fill in the details. Researchers will conduct participant observation to gain
very detailed and sometimes intimate knowledge of a person or group. This
technique involves the researcher’s actual participation and recording of events.