Resolve the Complexities of Interview Transcription with Outsourcing

The importance of interview transcription in qualitative research can hardly be stressed. The way the interviews are transcribed can have a powerful impact on the way the participants are understood as well as the information they share and the conclusions drawn. There are two types of transcription practices involved – verbatim and non-verbatim – and the method chosen will depend upon the goals of the interviewer. Regardless of the mode, outsourcing is the best option when it comes to resolving the complexities of interview transcription.

Verbatim and Non-verbatim Transcription?

For the researcher, interview transcription services play a crucial role in data preparation stage. A decision has to be made as to whether to include slightest details or omit them. Dialogue is not just the simple exchange of ideas, and conversation is usually filled with verbal and non-verbal signals that can change the tone of interview and its meaning.

Retaining the specifics would mean that the transcripts would retain the features of the speech. This means that false starts, stutters, filler words, and pauses such as Yeah, Uh huh, Mm, and so on, would be retained as such. For instance, this would be pertinent if the transcript is to be used for linguistic analysis. It is also useful when what the speaker says is relevant such as legal transcription of court hearings, police transcription and employee disciplinary meetings.

Researchers could opt for denaturalized transcripts or non-verbatim transcripts, in which grammar is corrected and elements of speech such as stutters, pauses, nonverbals, involuntary vocalizations are removed. This method, which is also called intelligent transcription, results in a more readable transcript while retaining the intended meaning of the speaker. Clean transcripts are edited and often used as marketing material or published online. Or they may be used in an organization to share summarized information with staff on the proceedings of a seminar or meeting.

Outsourcing to an Experienced Legal Transcription Company

In the case of interview transcription for purposes of research, it is crucial to choose the right method - whether verbatim or non-verbatim. For this, a closer collaboration between the researcher and the transcriber is necessary. Partnering with a reliable transcription legal transcription company would ensure this and more.

Professional service providers have skilled teams who have in-depth knowledge about the transcription process. They would be able to handle all types of challenges such as foreign accents, high-speed dictation, legal jargon, abbreviations, background noise and other impediments to produce high quality transcripts in quick turnaround time.

Promoter for MOS Legal Transcription Service.