What is the difference between an oral-history index and a transcript?

Indexes improve navigation

A concise title, synopsis, keywords, and locator can help a listener reach a relevant moment without reading every page. Write the decision in plain language and retain the original source separately so the index can be audited against something outside the browser project.

Transcripts improve text search

Verbatim or edited text supports phrase search and quotation review but still needs source, editorial, and access context. Review the result as a retrieval aid rather than a conclusion. Human-authored fields must remain visibly distinct from exact source-derived text.

• Oral History Association: Principles and Best Practices
• Library of Congress Veterans History Project: transcripts and indexes
• University of Kentucky Libraries: OHMS Viewer
• Taguette: local qualitative tagging and export
• Trint developer documentation: transcript and story exports

Use project policy

Oral-history programs should define indexing depth, narrator review, access, and preservation practices rather than treating one interface as a universal standard. Carry the limitation into the frozen edition and passive handoff so a recipient can understand what was checked, what was not checked, and what remains their responsibility.