Curious about how your transcript will look? Try transcript customisation!
Sophie Nixon
and 
Pacific Solutions
in Academic & Research Transcription, Transcription
Pacific’s transcription service provides customised transcripts to suit each and every one of our client’s individual requirements.
To fit your specific needs we offer a range of templates, formatting options, and transcription styles. We believe our transcript services should reflect the diversity of our clients. That’s why we offer specialist transcript customisation. From telephone interviews to focus groups, and speaker-identified text to NVivo Basic formatting, we provide a wide variety of transcript types to our clients, which span a broad range of topics and purposes.
Formatting
Speaker ID
The standard Pacific transcript labels speakers as ‘Facilitator’ and ‘Speaker’ for one-on-one interviews. If there are multiple interviewees, speakers are identified simply as ‘Speaker’. For a transcript of a group interview, this can be quite confusing. This is why we offer Speaker Identification.
You can choose to assign names, numbers, or your own codes to identify each speaker. This way it is much easier to follow along when reading the transcript and to quickly draw information for analysis.
Examples: Without speaker identification
Facilitator: Hi everyone, let’s start with names and occupations.
Speaker: Hi, my name is Jane. I’m a GP. I work at the Kenmore Clinic.
Speaker: I’m Alice.
Speaker: And I’m Nick. I work in aged care as a nurse.
Speaker: Oh, and I’m a surgeon.
De-identification:
We understand that confidentiality is vital for many of our clients so there is an option to de-identify any reference to people’s names, businesses and/or places. They will simply be replaced by [de-identified].
Example: With name and place de-identification
Facilitator: Hi everyone, let’s start with names and occupations.
Speaker: Hi, my name is [de-identified]. I’m a GP. I work at the [de-identified].
Speaker: I’m [de-identified].
Speaker: And I’m [de-identified]. I work in aged care as a nurse.
Speaker: Oh, and I’m a surgeon.
Line and Paragraph Numbering
Numbering the lines in your transcript makes it easier to find your place while analysing the transcript. You can choose to add line numbering as frequently as you would like – every line, paragraph, or every 20 lines. Whatever works best for you!
Example: Line numbering at every five lines
Timestamping
Timestamping is a fantastic option for those who wish to listen to the transcript while reading. It can be quite difficult to find your place in the middle of a recording. You can choose to add timestamps however often you like, although the most common options are timestamps at intervals of every five minutes, and timestamps at every speaker change.
Example: Timestamps at intervals of every five minutes
Facilitator: Hi everyone, let’s start with names and occupations.
Speaker: Hi, my name is Jane. I’m a GP. I work at the Kenmore Clinic.
Speaker: I’m Alice.
Speaker: And I’m Nick. I work [15:00] in aged care as a nurse.
Speaker: Oh, and I’m a surgeon.
Transcription Style
Intelligent Verbatim
The Pacific Transcription standard transcription style is Intelligent Verbatim. When people speak they often repeat words, have false starts, use informal language, and use fillers such as ‘like’. This style captures everything that the speaker says while omitting those “incidentals” listed and adjusting to contain more formal language. Non-verbal cues are only included if they add meaning to the speaker’s words. For example [Laughs] will be used if the speaker makes a joke that may not translate through text. Intelligent Verbatim suits most clients as it enhances readability without losing any of its meaning.
Example: Intelligent verbatim style – slightly edited
Facilitator: Great, let’s continue. Could you all please tell me your occupations?
Speaker: I’m a GP. I work at the Kenmore Clinic.
Speaker: I’m a surgeon at the local hospital.
Speaker: I work in aged care as a nurse.
Facilitator: Is working in the health care industry something you’ve always envisioned?
Speaker: Actually no, I originally studied to be an accountant.
Strict Verbatim
Strict Verbatim includes all of the things that Intelligent Verbatim leaves out. It is an exact transcript of what was said. All filler words, informal language, and repetition are included. Simply put, everything that is heard is included. Strict Verbatim is great for research where qualitative analysis of each interviewee’s answers is key.
Example: Strict verbatim
Facilitator: Great, let’s continue. Could you all please tell me your occupations?
Speaker: I’m a – I’m a GP. I work at the, um, Kenmore Clinic, yeah.
Speaker: I’m a surgeon at the, like, local hospital.
Speaker: I’m, I work as, um, I’m in aged care as a nurse.
Facilitator: Ok. So, is working in the health care industry something you’ve always envisioned?
Speaker: Actually no, I originally studied to be an accountant [laughs].
Templates
At Pacific Transcription, we have a discrete selection of standard templates that suit most clients. We have a standard template that the majority of our clients are happy to use. However, we also offer a few templates designed to be used with qualitative analysis software programs, such as NVivo and ATLAS.ti.
Templates for Qualitative Analysis software
Basic
This option is a simplified version of our Standard template. It enables you to easily import the transcript into NVivo (or most other qualitative analysis programs). This template does not automatically code speakers or organise them according to interview questions.
Headings Simple
The Headings Simple template uses the Microsoft Word headings function to label each speaker. When this is imported into NVivo you can easily sort answers by speaker name.
Headings Questions
If you have a structured interview, with a set list of questions, Headings Questions is a great template option for you. Send in a list of your questions and we can structure the transcript based on these. Within NVivo you can analyse each interviewee’s response to any particular question much more easily and efficiently.
Synchronised
NVivo Synchronised transcripts are timecoded and formatted for import into NVivo. These transcripts automatically synchronise with the original video or recording for easy and in-depth analysis. This is perfect for qualitative research as it allows you to analyse emotion, sarcasm, and other things that are not translatable through text alone. This option is particularly popular for researchers conducting focus groups or semi-structured/unstructured interviews.
Use your own template
At Pacific Transcription, we understand that our templates may not suit your requirements. If you have a specific template that you would like to be used, let us know and we will accommodate your needs. When you receive your transcript, you will not have to spend your time reformatting the document. You will have a transcript fully customised to match your requirements.
To view Pacific’s example transcripts, visit our brochures page.
Talk with us today about how we can tailor your transcript template, style or format to suit your specific needs.
Updated 11/02/2025
