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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Repeat key sentences for clarity. This ensures that when you read back over the transcript, the idea is emphasised.
5. 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.

Tags: digital recorder, focus groups, recording interviews, transcription company, transcription services

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