Manual (on) Transcription (1. Ed.)

13.03.2012

Our manual on transcription is now available in its first English edition and it can be downloaded in PDF format for free. In our manual, we explain what’s important when creating transcripts – and why it is not advisable to start without proper preparation and understanding of the foundational techniques of audio and video transcription. We provide answers to questions such as: What exactly should be transcribed? Can I use voice recognition software? Which file formats and audio recording specifications are suitable? Which transcription convention do I need? Which errors can be avoided? How long does transcription take? How do I eliminate white noise?

Our compact and comprehensible manual supports and guides you during transcription in the context of a qualitative research project. We reference up-to-date literature on the topic; we refine existing advice and provide new, time-saving hints. 

 

(PDF file, 69 pages, 1.1MB, release 13.03.2012)

 

You can download our manual for free. It is prohibited to distribute the PDF through servers other than audiotranskription.de. This ensures that everybody receives the most up to date version. If you like our manual, we ask that you recommend it to others.

We appreciate all feedback we receive from our readers. We make every effort possible to integrate comments and concerns into future editions of the manual – so please contact us if you have any comments!

Citation

The publication is registered under ISBN: 978-3-8185-0497-7. In your academic work, please cite the book as follows: 

Dresing, Thorsten/Pehl, Thorsten/Schmieder, Christian: Manual (on) Transcription. Transcription Conventions, Software Guides and Practical Hints for Qualitative Researchers. 1st English edition. Marburg 2012. Available Online: http://www.audiotranskription.de/english/transcription-practicalguide.htm (Access: dd.mm.yyyy) ISBN: 978-3-8185-0497-7

On the content

In our manual we have compiled pertinent, comprehensible information on academic transcription which can be easily adapted into your own practice. In approximately 70 pages we provide the relevant and necessary information for transcribing in the context of a qualitative research project. The book features practical guides, a series of concrete transcription conventions, and hints on how to avoid errors and save time. 

Table of content

Preface

How to choose a recording device
Recording quality
Suitability for daily use (handling, battery life, craftsmanship and reliability) 
Recording & file formats 
External input 
Important functions 
Accessories and cost
Sample recordings 

Producing transcripts: The challenge of producing a text 
Different transcription conventions – different data 
A simple transcription procedure
A complex transcription convention: GAT2 
Transcription conventions in conversation analysis
How long does it take to transcribe? 
General hints  
Remarks concerning anonymization 
Expecting and avoiding transcription errors 

Transcribing – and how software & hardware can help  
Can speech recognition software take some work off my shoulders? 
Use transcription software – not iTunesTM  
Step-by-step guide for f4 (WindowsTM) and f5 (Mac®) 
Time stamps are useful! 
Using time stamps in computer-aided analysis

Hints for recording & handling files in particular situations 
Recording telephone interviews 
Recording phone conversations with Skype 
Converting audio files 
Noise Removal 
Trimming audio files 
Data security and recovering deleted data 
Deleting data safely (permanently!)
Cited works
The authors