The fundamentals of the different IR spectroscopic techniques (transmission/absorption, total reflection, diffuse reflectance, emission, phothermal and surface vibrational sum frequency generation techniques) and of other vibrational spectroscopic techniques (Raman, EELS, IETS, INS and IAS) are very briefly outlined in view of their use in the field of the studies of oxide heterogeneous catalysts. Some less usual applications of IR and Raman techniques to oxide catalysis are also briefly reviewed.