Transcription for the purposes of research, such as transcribing focus groups and interviews for research and analysis, may require a template or format specific to the needs of the researcher and the qualitative analysis software you might be utilising. Below are some helpful tips on how Sterling Transcription defines, categorises and presents research transcriptions. By being aware of the options available to you, you can tailor the format and cost of your own research transcriptions to suit your specific needs and budget.
Transcriptions for research can be roughly divided into two categories: Interview Transcription and Focus Group Transcription. Interview transcription generally covers conversations with one to three participants. Focus Group transcription is more complex, often with a larger number of interviewees, and many or may not require detailed identification of each speaker.
Identification and Differentiation of Speakers
Sterling Transcription has a standard format for university transcription and research transcription when it comes to identifying or differentiating speakers. Identification means that where names are provided in the transcript, we will use those names to identify each speaker.
Differentiation means that where names are not provided, but speakers can be differentiated by voice and/or gender, we will label the speakers differently, based on this differentiation. Examples of identification and differentiation are outlined below.
If you require that speakers not be identified or differentiated, you can request this from Sterling Transcription by adding a note to your files. The transcriptionist will simply label speakers as Facilitator and Interviewee at no additional cost.
Interview transcription – files with 1 to 3 speakers:
Facilitators and interviewees are always differentiated as accurately as possible. Where names are given, speakers will be identified by those names. Where no names are provided, speakers will be differentiated as either Facilitator or Interviewee as appropriate. For files with no names provided, if there are two facilitators or interviewees, these will be further differentiated by gender and voice, for example Facilitator, Male 1, Male 2.
Example 1:
Facilitator: Hi, I am the facilitator and I have not mentioned my name at any time in the transcript.
Interviewee: I am the interviewee and I have also not mentioned my name at any stage.
Example 2:
Facilitator 1: Hi, I am the facilitator with the male voice and I do not mention my name.
Facilitator 2: Hi, I am the facilitator with the female voice and I also do not mention my name.
Jane: Hi, I am the interviewee Jane. While I do not mention my name, the facilitators call me Jane when they speak, so I am identified as such.
Example 3:
John: Hi, I am the facilitator and I introduce myself as John.
Male: Hi, I am an interviewee with a male voice and I am not identified at any stage.
Jane: Hi, I am an interviewee and my name is Jane.
Focus group transcription – files with 4+ speakers:
Sterling Transcription differentiates between facilitators and interviewees, however not between individual interviewees other than by gender. This means that interviewees will be named simply Male or Female. This style is preferred by the majority of clients who use our transcription services as they are more interested in the content of the discussion as a whole, rather than knowing which speaker made certain comments.
If you would like speakers to be identified or differentiated, please add a note to your files requesting this. If you require names to be used, rather than numeric identifiers, please provide a speaker log with your audio. Where no speaker log is provided, please understand that we can only identify/differentiate numerically on a best attempts basis and as such this may not be possible for large focus groups. Please note that a surcharge may apply where identification or differentiation numerically is required, so please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
Example 1 (differentiation only by gender, free of charge):
Facilitator: Hi, I am the facilitator.
Male: Hi, I am an interviewee with a male voice.
Male: Hi, I am an interviewee with a male voice.
Female: Hi, I am an interviewee with a female voice.
Male: Hi, I am an interviewee with a male voice. I could be one of the two males who have already spoken or a new participant.
Example 2 (client requests speaker differentiation, may incur surcharges):
Facilitator: Hi, I am the facilitator.
Male 1: Hi, I am an interviewee with a male voice.
Male 2: Hi, I am an interviewee with a different male voice to the first male.
Female: Hi, I am an interviewee with a female voice.
Male 1: Hi, I sound like I am male 1 again.
Example 3 (client requests speaker identification, may incur surcharges):
Facilitator: Hi, I am the facilitator.
John: Hi, I am John.
James: Hi, I am the interviewee James. While I do not mention my name, other participants call me James so I am identified as such.
Jane: Hi, I am Jane.
John: I have not mentioned my name again, but the typist has been provided a speaker log so knows it is me speaking.
Knowing what options are available to you is important in deciding on the format for your transcription. The more accurate the identification of speakers, the more likely this requirement will incur an additional cost, however closer identification of speakers may not be a priority for the purposes of your research.
Sterling Transcription is able to help with formatting documents in a way which allows automatic synchronisation with the audio when input into software you might be using, and has a proven track record of transcribing audio recordings quickly and professionally. So for help, advice and transcription services for research and university transcription, call Sterling Transcription – on-line, on-time and on-call transcription.
There are many things to consider when choosing a digital recorder for your focus groups but perhaps the most important of all is ensuring that the digital recorder you choose can cope with a number of participants sitting in various positions in the room and that the recorder can reproduce crystal clear playback, so that your hard work and the work of the focus group participants is not “lost in translation”. So put simply, sound quality is of the utmost importance.
So how do you choose a recorder which meets the needs of focus groups? There are many digital recorder and microphone products out there on the market, but some of the better ones we have come across for this particular function are able to incorporate the important features of crystal clear playback and noise cancellation and voice filter functions for situations where there are many people in the room; for example, a focus group of 4-10 people sitting around a table, or a board meeting with numbers of people anywhere from 4 or 5 up to twelve people.
There are some digital recorders which can manage this number of people in these situations and give you quality sound reproduction.
Things to also consider when choosing the right digital recorder for this particular job are the priority of the functions on offer. For example, for this situation you will want a digital recorder which reproduces extremely high quality sound, but you might not need a digital recorder which also has many playback features. You might want to just hit the record button and let the session begin. In this scenario, playback features like intuitive one-thumb operation, ergonomic design and quick and responsive rewind/review are not as important.
Other features which you should consider include whether or not you need backup battery power, just in case the mains power isn’t available, and find out if your digital recorder comes with a power adapter – it would be a shame to turn up to your meeting or focus group without being able to power your recorder!
Also consider what format you are recording in. For example, one of the most popular and compatible formats in use today is .wma (Windows Media Audio) format, which is easily played back on any Windows or Mac computer. Other popular and easy-to-use audio file formats include .ds2, .dss, .mp3 and .wav, however we have found that .wma is the best format for recording in.
So, what’s out there that would suit a focus group scenario? Olympus produces a great product for this very purpose – the Olympus DM-3 Digital Recorder; and Philips produces the LFH0895 Voice Tracer Meeting Recorder, both of which make recording focus groups a breeze, with optimal sound reproduction.
So, key considerations are:
1. Superior sound quality – does the dictation recorder have superior audio quality such as noise cancellation and voice filter functions for crystal clear playback in a potentially noisy environment?
2. Recording format – does the dictation recorder record in an easily accessible and compatible audio format, like .wma or .mp3?
3. Battery life v’s mains power – does the dictation recorder give you flexibility in power sources and does the battery give you the highest amount of recording time that you need? Do you have a backup battery and a power adapter?
By taking these key points into consideration you will be well on the way to choosing the right digital recorder for your focus group needs.
Remember, the better the quality of your focus group or meeting recording, the better the quality of the meeting or focus group transcription.
At Sterling Transcription, we are happy to announce that we now accept Credit Card payments. You can make your invoice payment through our secure payment gateway in just minutes. Call us during office hours on 0800 910 1410 or email enquiries@sterlingtranscription.co.uk to arrange automatic payment. This service does not require you to have a Paypal account and there is no surcharge for using this method. We accept both Visa and Mastercard, so making payments for your transcription services has never been easier! For details of all other available payment methods, check the bottom of your latest invoice.
Outsourcing medical transcription occurs when medical practitioners and offices outsource their transcription work to professional transcription companies. Outsourcing transcription can have an immediate impact on the efficiency of your medical practice. Outsourcing transcription to a company with knowledge of the nature of medical transcription ensures that the work is performed by experienced and skilled typists, and that all formatting and turnaround requirements are strictly adhered to. Another benefit of outsourcing medical transcription is that all transcripts will be subject to strict quality-assurance processes. Sterling Transcription typists have extensive experience in typing straight medical dictation, complex medico-legal reports and transcription of medical conferences for clients from the UK, Europe and further abroad.
Outsourcing medical transcription also allows office staff to prioritise more important or higher value work, as well as reducing the need to train staff members to perform transcription. Transcripts can also be synchronised with any practise software that may be in use, therefore can be imported directly and easily into your system. This ensures that documents can be maintained in an orderly manner, as well as providing backup storage of files with the transcription company. Outsourcing medical transcription is a cost-effective way of ensuring that all medical records are up-to-date and accurate, without putting a strain on the resources of your medical practice.
There are a variety of transcription software options available for typists. With such a broad scope of alternatives to choose from, the challenging part can be selecting the right one. Express Scribe, Quikscribe Playerand TheRecord Player: these are some of the most popular audio players used by typists. The advantages of each playerare highlighted below, to help simplify the selection process.
Express Scribe
Express Scribe comes with one immediately obvious benefit: it is free. Other than that, the playback speed can be modified. This is particularly helpful when doing a final check of a transcript, to save time and therefore, increase productivity. Another advantage is that Express Scribe is able to be used with a foot pedal, which enables the typist to transcribe at a faster rate. The software is compatible with Microsoft Word and all of the other main word processors. It works with most audio and video file types and loading audio files is a breeze. Express Scribe is a user friendly platform that enables typists to manage files with ease.
Quikscribe Player
Touted as the number one dictation system, Quikscribecan help increase work capacity. There is an option in the Quikscribe Player Settings that notifies the typist when a new file is waiting to be transcribed. Additionally, there are a range of visual icons on the player that inform the user of the status of the files, which can come in handy when a lot of work is on the go. The player is compatible with WAV and DSS files. It also boasts the Intelligent Audio File format, which provides advanced features that can help the typist to manage files more effectively. One of these features is the ability to insert files within a file, for greater work efficiency.
Another nifty feature of the Quikscribe Player is that location markers can be used at any point on an audio file. The typist can then more easily return back to those unclear sections that are marked. The Quikscribe Player is compatible with any Windows word processor. Also, files in the player are queued based on priority, in terms of turnaround time. Saving arguably the best feature to last, the QuikScribe Player is able to amplify the audio. This can come in handy for those tricky files where the audio level is low and therefore, difficult to hear. The player can be used with a foot pedal. Unlike Express Scribe, Quikscribe Player is certainly not free software but it can make transcribing leaps easier with its sophisticated features.
TheRecord Player
For all court reporters out there, TheRecord Player can appeal, for its leading edge audio features. It is often mentioned as being the benchmark for playing back court, meeting and conference proceedings. The player, which is compatible with FTR Gold audio, allows transcribers toselect specific parts of an audio file and increase or decrease their influence. This is particularly useful for managing background noise that can pose a challenge when transcribing. Additionally, the playback speed can be controlled and the FTR USB foot pedal can be used with this software. TheRecord Player offers ease of use and audio quality enhancing playback options.
Transcription software comes with a varying range of benefits. The perks of the widely used Express Scribe, Quikscribe and TheRecord Player software have been highlighted, to make choosing the most suitable transcription software that extra bit easier for typists.
Looking for transcription services? Visit Sterling Transcription, the premier UK transcription company.
Nearly everyone can type, but not everyone has the skills required to be a good transcription typist. Although being a typist may seem easy in theory, in reality it is hard work, and in particular transcription typists need a broad skill set which can take years to develop.
So what do transcription typists do exactly, and what does it take to be a good one?
To put it simply, transcription typists produce accurate, word-for-word transcripts of recorded speech. The subject matter can be wide and varied, ranging from recordings of market research interviews, to police interrogations, media conferences, press releases, AGMs, and of course medical and legal dictations.
In order to type transcripts on such varied subject matter, a good transcription typist has to be someone who possesses broad general knowledge and keeps up-to-date on current affairs. But obviously a typist can’t know everything, particularly when the recordings they’re transcribing might be on topics as diverse and complicated as efficient data centre design, patents for new scientific inventions, or preventing the spread of the Potato spindle tuber viroid (just a few of the topics that our typists have to deal with!). So, in addition to having good general knowledge, typists need to be able to find out about the things they don’t know – in other words, they need to be able to research. Transcription typists must be proficient Googlers who can locate even the most obscure terminology and speaker names.
Sounds difficult, right? Well, it can get even more complex. Imagine transcribing an audio file about preventing the spread of Potato spindle tuber viroid, where there are multiple speakers, the constant hum of an air conditioner in the background, and the main speaker has a thick German accent. This is where listening skills are crucially important. A good transcription typist needs to be able understand and transcribe files with poor audio quality or where the speakers have difficult accents. This is probably why some of our best transcription typists are people with a good ear in general – for example, people who play a musical instrument or speak a number of languages.
So we’ve touched on general knowledge, research skills and a good ear. But how else can you tell if you’d make a good transcription typist? Well, frankly, you’d probably be a bit of a grammar freak. If you know what a comma splice is, and the sight of one makes you feel a little bit uncomfortable, then chances are you would make a good typist. This is because transcription typists need to have a highly developed understanding of grammar, punctuation and spelling, and understand how these language features can convey or change a speaker’s intended meaning.
Last, but certainly not least, transcription typists need to know their way around a computer. They need to be able to use the internet as a research tool, communicate with colleagues using email and instant messaging programs, create and edit documents using Microsoft Word, as well as download, install and set up new programs.
As you can see, it takes a lot of different skills to be a good transcription typist. Although it may sound challenging, it can also be extremely rewarding. So if you’re a fast touch typist, with a good ear for audio, broad general knowledge, a highly developed understanding of the English language, and great computer literacy and research skills, then transcription typing might be the career for you!
There are a number of things to keep in mind when you set out to record your first interview or focus group. These tips will help ensure that you get the most out of your interview or focus group recording.
Before you start recording:
- Set your recording device to the highest possible quality setting. Olympus recorders have standard play (SP) mode and high quality (HQ) mode, both of which produce high quality recordings.
- If your recorder allows you to change your output audio format, choose one that will produce good sound quality. Sterling Transcription recommends .wma, because these files are small, yet provide clear audio for transcription.
- Choose a location for your interview that is quiet. Background noise such as chatter, radio and even loud air conditioners can result in difficult or unclear audio recordings. Remember that you audio recorder is designed to pick up as much sound as possible from your speech, and this means it will also pick up all ambient noise.
- Before it comes time for the interview to commence, familiarise yourself with the recorder’s controls. Knowing where to find the pause button is very useful, particularly if there are any unscheduled interruptions to the interview.
- If you are doing an interview or focus group over the phone, consider using a phone that has a speakerphone option. This is preferable to a plug in devise, which can alter the sound quality for each speakers. If you are using a speakerphone, however, ensure that the recorder is not placed too close to the speaker, as this can cause distortion in the sound quality.
During your interview:
- Try to ensure that the recorder is placed an equal distance from each speaker. It is okay for the recorder to be further away from the facilitator of the discussion, as it is the responses from the interviewee that is more important for transcription purposes. Try not to move the recorder during the interview, or if you do be very careful as any friction or bumping can create very loud noises for the transcriptionist. Avoid rustling papers or tapping fingers on the table.
- If you are doing a focus group and it is important that the speakers are identified, ask the participants to say their name each time they speak. Identifying speakers from solely their voices can be a very difficult task. The other option would be to keep a record of the order in which participants speak for the entirety of the interview.
- Ask the participants to try to speak one at a time. Speaking over the top of one another can obliterate any meaning from the words that are spoken, and can make transcription very difficult. Any time there is laughter or side-tracking during the recording, wait until the group is quiet before you ask the next question.
- Repeat key sentences for clarity. This ensures that when you read back over the transcript, the idea is emphasised.
- Keep a spare battery handy, just in case. Losing power in your digital recorder is the last thing you want when you are having a dynamic discussion or focus group. If there is a power outlet in the interview room, think about using a power adapter for your recorder. This will ensure that you are never caught short.
What is the conversation analysis style of transcription?
Conversation analysis style is the most complex style of transcription offered by Sterling Transcription and serves as an alternative to slightly edited or strict verbatim transcripts. It is a method capable of uncovering various paralinguistic features and, through the inclusion of specific symbols, seeks to describe subtle speaker interactions. While it is a style most suited to linguistic research, it is ideal in any case where analysis of non-verbal communication is sought.
Below is an example illustrating the difference between standard slightly edited transcripts and conversation analysis transcripts.
Slightly Edited style:
Interviewee: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Conversation Analysis style: Conversation analysis is not only transcribed strict verbatim but includes symbols and additional information relating to pace, tone, laughter et cetera.
Interviewee: [Quiet laughter] And- um- the (.) er (.) the (.) quick brown fox JUMPS over the (.) ahh (.) lazy (coughs) dog.
What can a conversation analysis transcription style reveal in a text?
One advantage of conversational analysis is the significant flexibility it offers to clients, whose transcripts can be personalized according to their specific research interests. Professional typists can tailor a document to identify specific features and denote these features using whichever notation technique is prescribed. For instance, a client can have details such as laughter, tone, pace and, in the case of video files, even descriptions of actions included.
Why request conversation analysis style?
A conversation analysis style transcript is an effective research tool for a client who wishes to extract the greatest possible meaning from speaker interactions, whether in a focus group or one-on-one interview. It is a style that is ideal where a client has complex transcription requirements in which detail is crucially important.
To gain the most out of this transcription style, documents may be synchronized or entered into compatible templates to facilitate the use of qualitative analysis software such as Leximancer, Nvivo or ATLAS.ti.
Further information
More in-depth information on conversation analysis and its relevance to fields such as psychology, sociology and medical research can be found in various publications including:
George Psathas, 1995. Conversational analysis: The Study of Talk-in-Interaction. California: Sage Publications.
Monrouxe, L. V. (2010), ‘Identity, identification and medical education: why should we care?’ Medical Education, 44: 40–49.
For general enquiries or pricing information about conversation analysis style transcription, please contact Sterling Transcription.
At Sterling Transcription, we’re eager for new clients and new work, and so starting work with us is easier than ever. Simply ring our office and our friendly operations staff will handle your request. Should you want to get started straightaway, you can either create a secure online account by yourself, or we can create one for you. That’s it, now you’re ready to go! Clients login to our file manager and upload their digital audio, or they can send audio to our office in the form of CDs, tapes or files on a digital recorder. Depending on your wants and needs, we can return your finished files within two hours for finance clients or up to a couple of weeks for large batches of audio. We provide many transcription services, from basic research interviews, medical transcription and legal transcription, to court reporting, captioning and even translation! For more information on the kinds of transcription we offer, or if you require other transcription services, please visit our website at http://www.sterlingtranscription.co.uk/ for a more comprehensive look at what we do.