Transcribing interviews is a crucial step in post-production. It involves capturing every word, including filler words and false starts. Time-coding and specialized software make this process more efficient, allowing for easy navigation and reference to specific points in the recording.

Organizing interview content is equally important. Content logging, metadata tagging, and keyword indexing help researchers quickly locate relevant information. Summarizing key points and takeaways provides a concise overview, making it easier to digest and share the most important insights from the interview.

Transcription Techniques

Verbatim Transcription

• Involves transcribing every word spoken in the interview, including filler words (um, uh), false starts, and repetitions
• Captures the exact language used by the interviewee, preserving their unique voice and speaking style
• Provides a complete and accurate record of the interview for analysis and reference
• Can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially for longer interviews or those with multiple speakers
• May require additional editing to remove irrelevant or sensitive information before sharing or publishing

Time-Coding and Transcription Software

• Time-coding involves adding timestamps to the transcription to indicate when specific statements or events occur in the audio or video recording
• Allows for easy navigation and reference to specific points in the interview
• Facilitates the creation of video or audio clips aligned with the transcription
• Transcription software (Express Scribe, oTranscribe) can automate the time-coding process and provide tools for efficient transcription
• Some software (Otter.ai, Trint) uses AI and machine learning to automatically generate transcriptions, which can then be edited and refined by a human transcriber

Content Organization

Content Logging and Metadata Tagging

• Content logging involves creating a detailed record of the interview content, including key topics, themes, and quotes
• Helps researchers quickly identify and locate relevant information within the interview
• Metadata tagging involves assigning descriptive labels or categories to specific segments of the interview
• Tags can include subject matter, speaker, location, date, or other relevant information
• Allows for easy searching, filtering, and organization of interview content across multiple files or projects

Keyword Indexing

• Involves identifying and listing important keywords or phrases that appear in the interview
• Helps researchers quickly locate specific information or topics within the transcription
• Can be done manually or using automated tools that analyze the text and generate a list of frequently used words or phrases
• Keyword indexes can be used to create searchable databases of interview content, facilitating cross-referencing and comparative analysis

Interview Summary

Summarizing Key Points and Takeaways

• An interview summary provides a concise overview of the main points, themes, and insights from the interview
• Distills the most important information from the full transcription, making it easier to digest and share with others
• Helps researchers quickly grasp the key takeaways without having to read through the entire transcription
• Can include direct quotes or paraphrased statements that capture the essence of the interviewee's responses
• Serves as a useful reference document for future analysis or reporting on the interview content

Structuring and Formatting the Summary

• The summary should be organized in a clear and logical manner, with sections or paragraphs dedicated to each main topic or theme
• Use headings or bullet points to break up the text and make it easier to scan and read
• Include relevant background information (interviewee's name, title, date of interview) at the beginning of the summary for context
• Keep the summary objective and avoid adding personal opinions or interpretations unless explicitly stated as such
• Proofread and edit the summary for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy before sharing or publishing