What will my Research Transcripts look like – A Research Transcription Example
Knowing what formatting options to select for your research transcripts can be daunting, particularly if it is your first experience of having audio files transcribed professionally. We understand that many researchers may require unusual formatting or the use of a template specific to their unique needs or the requirements of qualitative analysis software.
To help you navigate the options, we’ve set out some tips below and provided a research transcription example on how we usually define, categorise and then present research transcripts. By understanding the options available, you can easily tailor the formatting and cost of your transcriptions to suit your needs – and more importantly – your budget.
Research Transcripts: Interview Transcription or Focus Group Transcription?
Generally speaking, transcription for research can be divided into two categories: Interview Transcription and Focus Group Transcription. Conversations between one to three people will usually fall under the category of Interview Transcription. Conversations with larger groups of people are more complex, with Focus Group discussions usually including large numbers of participants.
Research Transcripts: Speaker Identification v Speaker Differentiation
Pacific Transcription has a standard format for research transcription when it comes to both identifying and differentiating speakers on a file.
- Differentiation is where we label the speakers as “Facilitator” or “Speaker”, as the client has not requested that we use the speakers’ names.
- Identification means that where a client requests that speakers are identified, either by name, number or code, those identifiers are used in the transcript to identify the speakers.
- De-Identification means that wherever speakers’ names are used, or wherever other names are used in the transcript these will be changed to [de-identified]. This includes all identifying information such as specific addresses, places of work and positions within the workplace.
Example of de-identification:
Facilitator: Hello, I am the facilitator. My name is [de-identified].
Speaker: Hi, my name is [de-identified]. I am currently living in Brisbane in [de-identified]. I live with my sister [de-identified], who works with me at [de-identified].
Research Transcription Example for Interview Transcripts – Files with 1 to 3 Speakers
Speakers are always differentiated as accurately as possible. Unless we are explicitly instructed (i.e. through File Notes) to use the names mentioned in the transcript we will differentiate speakers as either “Facilitator” or “Speaker”, as appropriate. If there are two facilitators or interviewees, these will be further differentiated by voice, for example, Facilitator, Speaker 1, Speaker 2.
Example 1:
Facilitator 1: Hi, I am a facilitator.
Facilitator 2: Hello, I am also a facilitator. As you can hear, my voice is different from the other facilitator.
Speaker: Hi, I am the interviewee named Sally. The facilitators call me Sally when they speak; however, no instructions were given to identify me as such, so I am simply listed as Speaker.
Example 2:
Facilitator: Hi, I am the facilitator. No instructions were given to use my name.
Speaker 1: Hi, I am an interviewee and I introduce myself as Ryan. No instructions were given to use my name.
Speaker 2: Hi, I am also an interviewee in this recording and I am called Steven by the facilitator. No instructions were given to use my name.
Example 3:
Alice: Hello, I am the facilitator and my name is Alice. I have requested that participant names be used.
Sam: I am the interviewee and my name has also been provided.
Research Transcription Example for Focus Group Transcripts – Files with 4+ Speakers
For standard focus group transcription, we differentiate between facilitators and interviewees, but not between individual interviewees. This means that interviewees will be named simply Speaker, and a new line is started at each speaker turn.
This style is preferred by the majority of clients who use our transcription services as they are more interested in the content of the discussion as a whole, rather than knowing which speaker made certain comments.
If you would like speakers to be identified or differentiated, please add a note to your files requesting this. If you require names to be used, rather than numeric identifiers (i.e. Speaker 1, Speaker 2, Speaker 3, Speaker 4, et cetera), please provide a speaker log with your audio. This allows us to ensure the speaker identification is as accurate as possible.
Where no speaker log is provided, please understand that we can only identify/ differentiate numerically on a best attempts basis and as such this may not be possible for large focus groups. Please note also that a surcharge may apply where identification or differentiation numerically is required, so please contact us to discuss your specific requirements before uploading your files.
Example 1:
Facilitator: Hello, I am the facilitator.
Speaker: Hello, I am an interviewee and the first time I speak I introduce myself as Robert.
Speaker: Hello, I am an interviewee and my voice sounds different from the first speaker, Robert.
Speaker: Hello, I am an interviewee with a voice that sounds different from both Robert and Speaker 2.
Speaker: Hello, I am an interviewee and I could be one of the three interviewees who have already spoken or a new participant.
Example 2:
Facilitator: Hello, I am the facilitator and I have requested for speakers to be identified by number.
Speaker 1: Hello, I am an interviewee.
Speaker 2: Hello, I am an interviewee also, and my voice sounds different from the first speaker.
Speaker 3: Hello, I am an interviewee and my voice is different from both Speaker 1 and Speaker 2.
Speaker 1: Hello, I sound like I am Speaker 1, speaking again.
Example 3:
Facilitator: Hi, I am the facilitator and I have requested speakers to be identified by name.
Andrew: Hi, I am Andrew.
Tom: Hi, I am the interviewee Tom.
Sally: Hello, I am Sally.
Andrew: I have not mentioned my name again, but the typist has been provided a speaker log so knows it is me speaking.
If you are unsure of which option is the best for you, do not hesitate to get in touch with our dedicated team of professional transcribers on 1300 662 173 or get in touch online!
Posted by Catherine Byrne
Updated 21/04/2022, 11/02/2025
