Transcribing interviews may seem like an unnecessary step, but it’s one of the most important parts of the research process. When you’re analysing qualitative data, you need to be able to go back and look at what exactly your interviewees said about their experiences with your research topic. Interview transcription makes it easier to analyse and share your findings, so here are seven ways to make the process easier and more effective.
1) Record in Quiet Places
One of the best ways to ensure an accurate transcription is to record in a quiet place. This will minimise background noise that can make it difficult to hear what was said. If you’re recording in a public place, try to find a spot where there’s not a lot of foot traffic or other noise.
2) Recording Length Should Match Audio Length
One common issue when transcribing research interviews is that the recording length doesn’t match the audio length. This can happen for a number of reasons, but it’s important to make sure that your recording length matches the audio length so that you don’t miss any important data.
3) Explain Yourself
When you’re conducting an interview, it’s important to explain your process to the interviewee. This puts them at ease and lets them know what to expect. Be sure to let them know that you’ll be transcribing the interview afterwards.
4) Consider Using Symbols
When you’re transcribing an interview, it can be helpful to use symbols to denote different things. For example, you could use an asterisk to denote when someone is speaking over another person. This can help you keep track of who is saying what when you’re reviewing your transcript later on.
5) Prepare What Questions You’ll Ask
- First, you’ll want to determine what type of questions you’ll be asking during the interview.
- Will they be open-ended or closed-ended questions?
- How long do you want the interview to be?
- What topics do you want to cover?
- Once you have a good idea of the direction you want the conversation to go in, start preparing your questions.
6) Get the Right Equipment
In order to transcribe your interviews, you’ll need a good quality recording device. If you’re using a digital recorder, make sure it has clear sound quality. If you’re using a microphone, make sure it’s plugged into your computer correctly. You’ll also need headphones so you can hear the interview clearly.