Fact · Transcription
The Minnesota Historical Society guide says each editor edits differently, so text an editor thinks is unimportant may be valuable to a researcher.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“since each person edits somewhat differently, the textual context regarded by an editor as unimportant might be seen by a researcher as extremely valuable”
Transcribing, Editing and Processing Guidelines, Minnesota Historical Society, Oral History Office, Minnesota Historical Society, 2001, Section 1, Introduction.
Open the original- What it measures
- The guide sets out two positions on editing: keep the interview fresh, or make the transcript read smoothly.
- What it does not show
- A position from one oral history office. It is an argument for setting editing rules in writing, not a general standard.