My clients primarily consist of students and researchers who had to conduct interviews for their studies. Although most of us already have some knowledge of how to make a good recording, it doesn’t hurt to go over this again. The goal is to serve as a checklist so that we remember what to pay attention to when making recordings to produce accurate transcripts.
When it comes to recording interviews for transcription purposes, it’s crucial to pay close attention to even the smallest details. Whether you’re conducting a research interview, capturing a podcast episode, or documenting an important conversation, following specific guidelines and best practices will help ensure that you end up with accurate and high-quality transcriptions.
Drawing from my transcribing experience and observations, I’ve compiled a list of tips and essential steps to help you record an interview effectively. By following these guidelines, you can be confident that your transcriptions will be as accurate and reliable as possible.
Contents
Equipment and Settings
The first things to pay attention to are your equipment and settings. If you’re often involved in conducting interviews, it is better invest in quality recording equipment. A reliable digital recorder or a high-quality microphone paired with your smartphone can make all the difference.
Before starting the interview:
- Make sure that your gadgets are fully charged
- Test the equipment to ensure it operates correctly and records crisp audio.
- Choose a quiet location to minimise background noise and interruptions.
- Adjust the microphone sensitivity accordingly to achieve a balance between clear audio capture and distortion avoidance.
Interview Etiquette
The second thing that should always be in mind is following the etiquette during an interview. Understandably, interview etiquette may vary across institutions or purposes, but maintaining a professional and respectful atmosphere during the interview is essential.
- Start the recording by introducing yourself, stating the date, and explaining the purpose of the conversation.
- Seek permission from the interviewee to record the conversation, clarifying that it will be used for transcription.
- Speak clearly and concisely, allowing each person to finish their thoughts before responding. This will facilitate accurate transcription and avoid confusion.
When it comes to conducting an interview for transcription, it’s really important to maintain a clear and organized conversation. One of the most crucial things to keep in mind is to avoid talking over each other. By giving everyone a chance to finish their thoughts before responding, you show that you’re respectful and professional, and it really helps with transcription accuracy.
When multiple voices overlap, it can be tough for transcribers to capture everything accurately. That’s why it’s so important to listen patiently and give everyone space to express their ideas fully. When you do this, it ensures that the transcription reflects all the nuances and insights that were shared during the interview. Plus, it makes it easier for the transcriber to create a comprehensive and coherent transcript that accurately reflects the flow of the conversation.
Mindful recording
I have been asked to create accurate transcripts of recordings made in busy cafes and restaurants, despite the potential obstacles, such as background noise and clanging utensils. It’s important to note that these factors can still impact the accuracy of the transcriptions and their hearings.
To produce a mindful recording, you must pay attention to things like:
- Positioning the microphone close to the interviewee to capture their voice clearly.
- Minimise background noise by closing windows and doors, and turning off any potential sources of noise like fans or appliances.
- Avoid handling the recording device during the interview to prevent unwanted noise caused by movement.
In case of conducting phone interviews, it is highly likely that the majority of smartphones available today offer a convenient ‘record call’ feature. Whether you own an iPhone, Android, or any other smartphone model, the ‘record call’ feature enables you to effortlessly capture and save audio from your phone conversations.
This invaluable feature not only simplifies the process of recording interviews but also ensures that you have a reliable backup of the conversation, allowing you to focus on the discussion at hand without the need for additional recording equipment or software.
Backup and Storage
Data loss can be a significant setback, especially when it comes to important files and documents. That’s why it’s crucial to have backup measures in place to avoid any potential loss of data. One of the best ways to do this is to consider using multiple recording devices simultaneously to create a duplicate recording as a backup. This is particularly useful for audio or video recordings where you cannot afford to lose the original source material.
If you need to share files securely with others, my go-to services are WeTransfer and DropBox. Both of these platforms offer top-notch security features and are user-friendly. However, it’s always a good idea to do your own research and find the storage space that best suits your needs. There are many options available on the internet, so you can compare and choose the one that fits your requirements. By taking these steps, you can be confident that your data is safe and secure.
Ready for Transcription?
If you’re planning to submit a recording for transcription, here are some tips that can help you out.
- Make sure to provide relevant details to the transcriptionist, such as the interviewee’s name, any jargon or specific terminology used, and any contextual information that might be important.
- If you have any supporting documents or materials, it’s always helpful to share them along with the recording to enhance transcription accuracy.
Before sending the recording for transcription, take some time to review it yourself. Listen to the recording to ensure the quality of the audio is satisfactory and that no important parts are missing or inaudible.
If you do come across any sections of the interview that may be challenging to understand or contain background noise, don’t worry. Just make a list of these areas to share with the transcriber, allowing them to take extra care in those sections. This will help the transcriptionist to provide you with accurate and high-quality transcription.
Wrap-up
Recording an interview for transcription requires careful planning and attention to detail. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can significantly improve the accuracy and quality of the resulting transcription. Remember to invest in good recording equipment, prepare adequately, create a professional environment, and review the recording before submission. These practices will ensure that the transcription captures the essence of the interview and provides valuable insights for future reference. I hope you found these guidelines helpful and wish you success in recording your interviews for transcription purposes!
