Formatting transcripts for qualitative research
I'm a big fan of Graham Gibbs' YouTube videos, which cover a wide range of issues related to qualitative research and research methods. Previously I've discussed his overview video on "Doing transcription for qualitative research". Today I'm looking at "Types of transcription for qualitative research", which reviews more specifically the various levels of transcribing verbatim and formatting for qualitative research transcripts.
I recommend watching the full video, but I've included the key points from his PowerPoint slides below as a quick reference.
Format of transcript
· Names. Use capitals for speakers
o MARY C
o MARY
o I:
o Or “IV:”
o Or INT
Anonymisation
· Names and contextual names (places etc.)
· Keep original with real names, but keep secure
· Publish only anonymised versions
Prepare text
· Check for accuracy
· Use […] for missing text
· Use [bribery?] for words you are not sure about.
· Print with wide margins (for next stage – coding)
Structure
· Structured interviews
o E.g. with same questions
o Use Q1, Q2, etc. consistently throughout
o Put in Heading style for NVivo
· Section format
o Facilitates searching later
o Use of heading style (Heading 1 etc.) in NVivo
o Allows use of automatic coding
· Paragraphs
o Use if coding off-line
o ‘On the beach’ coding
Levels of transcription
· People don’t talk in sentences
o Repeat themselves
o Hesitate, stutter
o Use contractions (don’t, coz, etc.)
o Use filler words (like, y’know, er, I mean)
· Options
o Just the gist
o Verbatim
o Verbatim with dialect
o Discourse level
Just the gist
“90% of my communication is with… the Sales Director. 1% of his communication is with me. I try to be one step ahead, I get things ready, … because he jumps from one … project to another. … This morning we did Essex, this afternoon we did BT, and we haven’t even finished Essex yet.” (… indicates omitted speech)
Verbatim
“I don’t really know. I’ve a feeling that they’re allowed to let their emotions show better. I think bereavement is part of their religion and culture. They tend to be more religious anyway. I’m not from a religious family, so I don’t know that side of it.”
Verbatim with dialect
“’s just that – one o’ staff – they wind everybody up, I mean, - cos I asked for some money – out o’ the safe, cos they only keep money in the safe – ‘s our money – so I asked for some money and they wouldn’t give it me – an’ I snatched this tenner what was mine.”
Conversation analysis
Bashir: Did you ever (.) personally assist him with writing of his book. (0.8)
Princess: A lot of people.hhh ((clears throat)) saw the distress that my life was in. (.) And they felt it was a supportive thing to help (0.2) in the way that they did.
Document headers
= Session summary sheets or cover sheet
Pseudonym of person interviewed and other anonymising reference
· Date of interview
· Topic and circumstances of interview
· Name of interviewer
· Source of field notes relevant to interview
· Linked documents (e.g. previous and subsequent interviews)
· Source of document (full reference)
· Initial ideas for analysis
In NVivo can be kept in document properties
Archiving
· Needs written consent from participants (difficult if not done at the time of research)
· May need copyright permission if used in publications
· Ensure confidentiality by anonymising names of people and places (safe for participants if activities illegal or illicit), safe for researcher (e.g. covert operations, paramilitary groups)
· Alternative is closure of material for a period or restricted access. Need to specify.
· Also, field notes, documentation, etc. needed to give secondary researchers background information
· ESRC Qualitative Data Archival Resource Centre (Qualidata) http://www.qualidata.essex.ac.uk/
