Quick Tips on Recording and Transcribing Research Interviews

Read on and learn about the quick tips on recording and transcribing research interviews.

15:23 17 February 2022

Interviewing for research is a tedious task. You shouldn’t miss a tiny detail. Every answer is essential to keep studying a success. But somewhere down the line, it’s hard to remember what you just heard. That’s why it's vital to save it in a recorder. 

 

However, it’s still quite challenging to backtrack statements without a transcript. Fortunately, there are easy ways to get one. Learn about the quick tips on recording and transcribing research interviews.

 

Why record and transcribe research interviews

Through time, interview transcriptions prove how beneficial it is. 

 

Provides Accuracy

Quoting statements in a research interview requires word-for-word accuracy. If not, you’ll have trouble gaining reliable interview sources. Or worse, you might see yourself facing liable legal issues. 

 

Transcribing research interviews ensures you won’t face such a dilemma. Moreover, Verbatim reporting captures every word spieled during the interview. Thus, it keeps you on the right track of the law. 

 

Complete Engagement

An interview session takes a lot of mental focus. On top of asking relevant questions, you also need to pay full attention to every answer. So that you know what and how to follow up on it and won’t miss anything. There must be a natural flow of conversation too. 

 

Recording and transcribing research interviews helps to balance it all. There’s no need to rush in scribbling down notes. This way, you can fully engage with the conversation. Also, you are rest assured that there’s an accurate record of all things said. 

 

Saves Time

A one-hour interview takes as long as eight hours if you transcribe it on your own. For sure, you don’t have extra time to do it. So, it’s best to turn to an easy-to-use transcription service. Look for transcription software with automated processes. This way, you’ll secure a high-quality transcript within an hour or so. 

 

Recording and transcribing research interviews saves labor. With transcripts in hand, revisiting the interviewee’s answer is more accessible. Also, reading detailed notes is favorable instead of listening to pauses and digressions. Plus, pinpointing critical information is much more efficient. 

 

Remember, it’s a must to get informed consent beforehand. Always ask permission from the interviewee that the discussion is being recorded. Also, maintain privacy and keep the recording and transcript confidential. 

 

Tips on recording research interviews

The accuracy of interview transcription is dependent on the quality of the recording. So, when you conduct your research interview, keep in mind these tips. 

 

Find a location with controlled background noise.

Location is a critical factor for high-quality audio recording. Although the interviewee has a choice, you can contribute to the decision. Public places and the outdoors are a big no-no. You have no control over the sounds from the cars and people passing by. 

 

When recording research interviews, board rooms and office space are standard yet practical. If you have no access to these places, a kitchen home, library, or hotel room has less noise interruptions. 

 

Prepare the equipment

Audio recording equipment is a must-have. Even though mobile phones come in handy, it is best to invest in a digital sound recorder. In addition, the chances of receiving a call or SMS during the ongoing interview are less likely to happen. 

 

Also, it is more convenient to transfer the recorded interview from digital voice recorders to the desktop. The excellent built-in microphone to capture audio conversation is a plus, too. 

 

If you have more funds, it’s best to spare an external microphone. However, it works well if you set an interview in an open environment or a field. 

 

Focus on the interviewee

Always remember that research interviews are all about the person being asked. Therefore, maintain focus in gathering information from the respondent. Let the interviewee talk. Avoid unnecessary comments as their answers are more important. 

 

Also, prepare an interview guide for your questions. This way, you won’t get sidetracked by what the research interview is all about. Plus, you get to cover all the queries that need answers. 

 

Choose a reliable transcription service.

What makes recording and transcribing research interviews effective is efficient transcription software. It helps you keep the natural flow of the conversation as you don’t have to look down just to take notes. So, look for AI transcription that converts speech to text instantly. 

 

Various transcription services are now available. Look into something that works well with automated transcription. As you proceed with the interview, it records and transcribes what transpired during the entire time. 

 

Transcribe by Wreally is a great example. It features Magical Automatic Transcription, Self-Transcription, and Voice Type with Dictation. Also, it minimized the background noise. This way, you can focus more on the audio clip to get the machine transcription. 

 

In addition, Transcribe can transcribe interviews through speech to text in over 80 different languages. No wonder it's highly recommended for recording and transcribing research interviews. 

 

Getting the interview done is one thing. But recording it with fewer hiccups is another. So, keep in mind these tips to ease the burden of getting your research interview transcribed. Another tip is to save your recorded file with the correct file type. For example, you can convert MP4to WAV by Transcribe Wreally to get the best file type that you need.

 

How to transcribe research interviews

Transcribing audio is much less of a burden with a clear audio recording in hand. Make it more convenient if you take note of these. 

 

Choose a level of accuracy.

Interview transcriptions vary based on how you want them to be transcribed. Pick which one you need. 

 

Exact Verbatim includes every “hmm,” “uh,” and “um.”

 

Intelligent Verbatim contains every word said except for the fillers. 

 

Edited Transcription skips unrelated answers. For example, a personal story that is irrelevant to the evaluation is edited out. 

 

Summary Transcription involves essential passages only. The exact answer to the questions is only in the transcript. Other comments are opt-out. 

 

Proper documentation

On top of the transcription, include all relevant meta-data about the interview. Make sure to include:

 

• Interview ID Number
• Project Name
• Interviewee’s Name or Alias (maintain personal details confidentially)
• Interviewer’s Name
• Date and Location of Interview
• Transcriber’s Name

 

Don’t forget to indicate the meaning of abbreviations. For example, if you use “P” for the participant and “I” for an interviewer, explain it in the meta-data.

 

Following these tips in transcribing research interviews make reviewing the conversation easier. Also, it shows how you value the respondent’s privacy.

 

Learning how to transcribe a research interview accurately is wise. But it's best if you can partner up with AI transcription. This way, you have more time on hand to comprehend all the respondent’s answers. Also, you can proceed with the next steps of the research. So, look into Transcribe and get your job done in bliss.