Academic Research Transcription: Exploring the Numerous Benefits


Academic Research Transcription: Exploring the Numerous Benefits
Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy

11/10/2014

While many institutions and individuals have a need for academic research, they don't always have the time to do transcription, which is why many of them outsource it. However, research should be treated as a valuable point that must be done with precision.

The following information will help you understand the necessary criteria for academic research transcription.

Primary and Secondary Research

Academic research can be divided into primary and secondary research. While primary research involves conducting interviews, making observations, and collecting information, secondary research explores existing publications and accessing data from various media sources.

Primary research gives your project an edge of originality, and the more of it you do the better, although it is perfectly valid to use secondary research to enhance your project.

Interview Questions

One of the best ways to build an original study is to interview an expert or relevant participants. Asking the right questions is the key to crafting a compelling study that will be quoted by other researchers. If the interview is with an expert, it is helpful to do a pre-interview on the phone or online to collect information that may shape a more interesting interview.

If you are doing a survey with various individuals, you should map out the most definitive questions that will generate the clearest responses. It is always helpful to record the interviews in some electronic form, instead of just taking notes, so that the responses can be preserved for future review.

Transcribing Interviews

Interview transcriptions can be time-consuming, especially for lengthy interviews of several individuals. Since the average person speaks 160 words per minute, but writes or types at a much slower rate, it can take hours just to transcribe a one-hour interview with one person. This is the part of the research that most academics do not have time for.

Not only do the words have to be transcribed verbatim, but there may also be inaudible sections to deal with any issues involving deciphering enunciation. Therefore, it is much easier for academics to simply hire professional transcriptionists to do the work.

Read Also: New Research: Cozy Offices Mean Less Typos, More Accuracy

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Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy is the Cofounder & President of GMR Transcription Services, Inc., a California-based company that has been providing accurate and fast transcription services since 2004. She has enjoyed nearly ten years of success at GMR, playing a pivotal role in the company's growth. Under Beth's leadership, GMR Transcription doubled its sales within two years, earning recognition as one of the OC Business Journal's fastest-growing private companies. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids.