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Research Transcription Essentials Explained

January 19, 2018 Pacific Solutions in Academic & Research Transcription

Research transcription can be puzzling to first-time researchers.  There are many essential elements to research transcription that every researcher should know.

Research transcription describes the process of converting recordings of focus groups and interviews into written transcripts.  All researchers who use focus groups and interviews as a method of collecting data for research use research transcription.

Accuracy

One essential element of research transcription is accuracy.  Research transcripts are accurate accounts of the focus group or interview, are free from grammatical and typing errors, and conform to specific needs as articulated by the researcher at the beginning of the project.

Formatting

There are a plethora of formats that researchers and transcription companies use to produce accurate and high-quality transcripts for researchers.  Many transcription companies have a selection of default formatting templates which are popular with researchers.

However, for researchers who plan to use qualitative analysis software to analyse their data, (such as NVivo or Leximancer) specific formatting is required.  This is because the transcript must be in a format that is easily imported into the software, for data analysis.

As a researcher, it is imperative that you know which qualitative analysis software you will be using before you request transcription from your chosen transcription provider.

Pacific Transcription offers four Nvivo formatting options and can provide transcripts in Leximancer-compatible and other qualitative analysis software-specific formats.

Transcript Styles

The most common transcript style requested by 95% of Pacific’s researchers is Intelligent Verbatim (standard style).  This is because the Intelligent Verbatim transcription style is very readable.  Although a highly accurate transcript is produced, the typist does slightly amend the spoken word by excluding false starts, repetitions, and excessive use of filler words, such as “um, “like”, and “you know”.

A less common style is Strict Verbatim (orthographic transcription) transcription style. This style attracts a 50% surcharge. If you also require a full sound check, a further 50% surcharge will apply.

Strict Verbatim transcript style is used by researchers who wish to apply basic linguistic analysis to their transcripts.

Ethics Standards

It is a requirement of all researchers conducting research to meet the ethical standards as set out by the funding or research body.  For the majority of researchers, the standard terms and conditions and privacy policies of transcription companies adequately meet their ethics requirements.

Sometimes specific research projects, funding bodies, and universities require a commitment to more complex, tighter, or strict standards.  For example, a researcher conducting highly sensitive interviews with a particularly vulnerable cohort may require a confidentiality agreement that explicitly states the name of the research project, and other specifications.

It is important to remember that ALL Pacific typing contractors and staff sign a confidentiality agreement before contracting with Pacific. This eliminates the need to enter into individual confidentiality agreements with typing contractors and staff, each time a new research project commences. Pacific Transcription offers our standard terms and conditions document, which can be signed (back page) and used as a confidentiality agreement between Pacific Transcription and the researcher. An alternative is to provide your own specific confidentiality agreement, and our Managing Director will review the document and get back to you with any amendments needed.

Turnaround Times

Each researcher has competing demands on their time.  Research projects are usually time-limited, and these time limits are often imposed by the grant or funding body, or the individual researcher.  It is helpful to researchers in the planning phase to know how long it will take to transcribe their audio.

Many transcription companies can accommodate the researcher’s specific time-limited requirements and offer a variety of turnarounds and pricing options that reflect this. Transcription companies can also discuss the researcher’s specific needs and offer the best option to meet both their financial and timeframe limitations.

Essentials Explained

There are many research transcription essentials that every researcher should discuss with their chosen transcription company.  These include: transcript accuracy, transcript format, transcript style, ethics standards, and transcript turnaround options.  By knowing about these transcription essentials researchers will be better informed when speaking with their transcription provider, and ultimately receive the best possible transcripts for their research.

Pacific Transcription provides New Zealand researchers with high-quality, accurate transcripts, in an appropriate format and style, within the turnaround required, and in compliance with ethics standards.  For further information about research transcription please contact Pacific Transcription NZ today.

For more information on what your focus group or interview transcript might look like, read our blog article.

Updated 11/02/2025