Automatic transcription
- Automatic speech recognition saves hours of transcription time
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The meaning of transcribing is “transferring something in a different form”. This can be the conversion of a voice recording but also of a piece of music or hereditary code of DNA. Thus, the verb is used in three fields: linguistics, biology and music. Linguistically, the definition of transcribing is the conversion from speech to text. The result is a transcription.
Transcription services are widely used by researchers, journalists, media professionals, lawyers, doctors and students. All these professions are faced with interviews that they ultimately have to have on paper. Nowadays it is becoming increasingly common for interviewers to take a voice recorder to an interview and have it typed by a third party. Students also often use a service to help with their thesis interviews. This guarantees that all information and details of the interview are maintained.
Making an audio transcription is possible in three ways:
Literal Transcription
Literal transcribing means typing out everything, including filler words (uhms and aahs). This is also called verbatim transcribing. It is often used in qualitative research where human reactions have to be monitored. For example, in psychological examinations or marketing research.
Clean Transcription
Clean transcription means that all words are transcribed but filler words, stutters and repetitions are left out. This method is useful if the reaction and intonation of a respondent are not important. The clean (or edited) transcription can be used for an article in the newspaper or for your thesis. This form of transcription is the most common.
Summary Transcription
The final type is called a summary transcription. Interview transcriptions are rarely made using this approach. Summarizing the contents of the transcription is usually done during editing. This form is used, among other things, for rendering meetings
Transcription takes a lot of time. Transcribing an interview or group conversation with a duration of 1 hour normally takes 5 to 6 hours.
For an investigation with 10 hours of interview material, you can easily lose around 50 working hours.
There are tools such as software and hardware that can help you, but transcription remains a process that you should not underestimate.
The question of whether you are going to do it yourself or whether you will outsource it is a matter of the budget at your disposal and the opportunity cost of your time.
Transcribing yourself takes a lot of time, but it also has the advantage that you go deeply into your own research. Every time you listen to the audio recording, you secretly already do a large part of your analysis. You understand what speakers mean and how something is said and then save valuable time during the analysis.
But you don’t want to waste time. There are several tips to transcribe faster using software, hardware and a structured process.
Transcription takes a lot of time. Transcribing an interview or group conversation with a duration of 1 hour normally takes 5 to 6 hours.
For an investigation with 10 hours of interview material, you can easily lose around 50 working hours.
There are tools such as software and hardware that can help you, but transcription remains a process that you should not underestimate.
The question of whether you are going to do it yourself or whether you will outsource it is a matter of the budget at your disposal and the opportunity cost of your time.
Transcribing yourself takes a lot of time, but it also has the advantage that you go deeply into your own research. Every time you listen to the audio recording, you secretly already do a large part of your analysis. You understand what speakers mean and how something is said and then save valuable time during the analysis.
But you don’t want to waste time. There are several tips to transcribe faster using software, hardware and a structured process.
Transcription is a crucial part of qualitative research. Make sure you choose the right transcription form for your project. As a guideline, we recommend to transcribe verbatim if the intonation of the speakers is important. Edited transcription focuses on the content of the saying and is easier to read.
If you prefer to outsource the transcription work, make sure that you work with the right agency and that you submit your assignment on time. Also, schedule time to review transcripts from the agency to correct specific terms and names.
If you want to transcribe yourself, make sure you use the right tools to make your life a lot easier. Use (automatic) transcription software, hardware and a structured process to complete your project on time and plan enough time so that you do not get stressed.
Transcription is a crucial part of qualitative research. Make sure you choose the right transcription form for your project. As a guideline, we recommend to transcribe verbatim if the intonation of the speakers is important. Edited transcription focuses on the content of the saying and is easier to read.
If you prefer to outsource the transcription work, make sure that you work with the right agency and that you submit your assignment on time. Also, schedule time to review transcripts from the agency to correct specific terms and names.
If you want to transcribe yourself, make sure you use the right tools to make your life a lot easier. Use (automatic) transcription software, hardware and a structured process to complete your project on time and plan enough time so that you do not get stressed.