President of GMR Transcription, which provides accurate transcriptions to court reporter firms, investigators, businesses, and more.
Interviews are a key approach to conducting research, whether academically or commercially. And the procedure is only complete when the interviews are as they should be transcribed. With accurate transcripts, the content of the interview can be analyzed very well and data obtained.
And speaking about transcribing as a skill, the average person speaks around 150 words in a minute, and that is quite a pace! On the other hand, I’ve found an average transcriber types about 60 words in a minute. We should not underestimate the level of skills needed to become a successful transcriber.
Transcription is a complex procedure in which variables such as audio quality, typing speed, number of speakers, accents, and transcription apparatus come into play. Normally, it takes around 4 hours or more to transcribe a one-hour interview. So unlike making It’s a Cake, transcription isn’t easy. It’s challenging, but it’s completely doable.
Accurate knowledge serves to make informed business options possible based on interviews and much more. Transcribed interviews offer many benefits for both interviewers and companies. Key benefits include:
• Capturing intricate details, often overlooked during discussions
• In the case of job interviews, allow decision-makers simple access to reviewing candidates’ answers.
• Allow interviewers to focus exclusively on applicants without being distracted by taking notes.
• Provide direct documentation for thorough interaction.
• Save valuable time by streamlining the hiring process
To ensure a hassle-free process with accurate results, here are nine things to keep in mind when transcribing an interview:
Prior to commencing the transcription process, allocate some time to comprehend the interview’s context. Gaining a grasp of the context, subject matter and accents can significantly enhance the precision of your transcription efforts.
Distractions and background noise can hinder the transcription process. Choose a quiet, comfortable workspace where you can only listen and write.
Break maintenance into smaller sections or time intervals. This technique makes transcription more manageable and helps maintain the accuracy of the process.
Transcription is rarely just about words; It’s also about conveying the speaker’s tone, emotions, and nonverbal cues. Be aware of pauses, laughter, hesitation, and other nonverbal cues to ensure that the transcript represents the conversation as it should be.
After finishing the interview transcription, revisit the transcript to identify and rectify any errors, typos or inaccuracies. Editing plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing a refined and precise final transcript.
Timestamps are valuable reference issues that allow you to temporally locate express parts of the interview. Insert timestamps at times or when the verbal exchange changes to a new topic.
Interviews involve sensitive or confidential data. Be sure to abide by moral rules and maintain interviewees’ privacy by not sharing private or sensitive data without permission.
Transcribing interviews with the right team is essential. Make sure the equipment you use has the highest level of quality and accuracy.
Transcribing can be mentally exhausting. Remember to take short breaks to avoid fatigue and stay focused. Patience is key to generating a high-quality transcript.
Interview transcription requires attention to detail, patience, and a proper strategy. By following these nine tips, you’ll be able to streamline the transcription process, achieve accuracy, and produce reliable transcripts that capture the essence of the interview. Remember, an accurate transcription is essential, especially when interviews are used for research, journalism, or documentation purposes.
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