Verbatim transcription is crucial for qualitative research interviews, which in turn are an important data collection tool for a wide variety of methods used within education research.

Verbatim transcripts of qualitative research interviews give researchers the opportunity to explore unique experiences of the participants.

This allows in-depth insights into how their different interests are experienced and perceived.

If you’ve landed on this page hoping to understand more about this topic, we hope you’ll find this article helpful.

Before we delve deeper into verbatim transcription, you may also find our complete guide on how to conduct an interview for research helpful.

What is Verbatim Transcription?

While there are plenty of voice recognition software and services on the internet, unfortunately there is no automated verbatim transcription software…..yet.

It’s still done best by humans.

Verbatim transcription is where you type every single word/sound uttered by every participant in an audio recording. 

For example, this can include all kinds of non-verbal nods like “um, uh, mm hmm” and filler words like “like, you know, kind of” etc. along with all repeated words and sentences.

How long does it take to transcribe verbatim?

how long does it take to transcribe verbatim

Verbatim transcription can add considerable time to audio or video transcription. 

Why?  Simply because you’ll have to add all the extra words that you normally ignore with semi or non-verbatim transcription.

Furthermore, you may need to concentrate harder to make sure you don’t miss anything.

All this increases the difficulty level and adds more time.

We estimate it can take between 8-10 hours to transcribe a 60 minute long audio/video file verbatim.

Types of Verbatim Transcription

Pure/Strict Verbatim Transcription

This includes:

  • Every non-verbal utterance
  • Stuttering and Stammering
  • Filler Words
  • Repeated Words
  • Repeated Sentences
  • Non-verbal nods like “yeah” and “um hmm” etc.
  • Labeling of laughter, chuckles, clearing throat etc.

The use of strict verbatim transcription has become a common strategy for data management in research.

It’s important for the analysis and interpretation of verbal data which has become hugely beneficial, especially for ex. in the field of healthcare research.

But most of the qualitative research interviews are used to collect information for a wide range of purposes, not just healthcare.

On top of qualitative research, there’s been a significant increase in mixed-method inquiries.

Hence, verbatim transcription plays a key role in the data analysis phase of data management.

Edited/Partial/Semi Verbatim Transcription

This is left up to the transcriber or QA’s (Quality Analyst) discretion on whether they want to include all verbal nods like “um, uh, huh, hmm” and filler words like “you know” etc.

The client may also not want repeated words and sentences.

This form of verbatim transcription is used to maintain the natural flow of conversation.

Non-Verbatim/Clean Transcription

This is the default mode for most.

It is also the fastest and the easiest form of transcription.

It’s an edited, clean transcript without non-verbal nods and repeated words and sentences.

Clean transcripts include verbal nods like “Yeah” or “Okay” if they’re a reply to a closed-ended question.

How to Transcribe Verbatim?

Be Patient to be Efficient

patience for verbatim transcription

You may have to pause and rewind your audio or video file several times, which can be frustrating, but you’ve got to be patient.

Using a transcription foot pedal to control playback can help, because your hands are free to type.

Find a Verbatim Transcription Service

If your friends or colleagues had an amazing experience with a verbatim transcription service, it’s worth giving them a try.

Make sure you look at their verified testimonials and reviews first.

Verified reviews and testimonials can tell you a lot about a transcription company’s customer service, terms & conditions, procedures and quality of work.

As an example, our verbatim transcription service is rated excellent on Trustpilot with 100% 5-star reviews and a TrustScore of 9.3/10.

Read our Reviews on Trustpilot

Read client testimonials on our website

Ask for a Sample Transcript

Whichever transcription service you choose, either ask for a free transcription trial or a sample transcript.

Most verbatim transcription services will be happy to give you a free trial of at least 5 minutes.

Below are samples of how a transcript may look like for different types of verbatim transcription:

Now, uh, my point of all this is that, that um, you know, sometimes the business that we bring to you, um, [clears throat] here as part of this meeting is really, um, important to company, it can’t be done, uh, any other way, because — because it requires the engagement of the stockholders, um, but it can be boring, you know. So, uh, we’re going to get, uh, right at this one, and see, um, if we can get through this, uh, in a straightforward way. Okay, uh, so — so Mike mentioned, um, our competitive board. You will recall that last year, uh, in my presentation, um, I described for the — for the first time this initiative that, uh, you know, the board had of restructuring the board, so that, um, we could add — add more outside expertise.

Now, my point of all this is that, you know, sometimes the business that we bring to you here as part of this meeting is really, um, important to company, it can’t be done any other way, because it requires the engagement of the stockholders, um, but it can be boring, you know. So, we’re going to get right at this one, and see if we can get through this in a straightforward way. Okay, so Mike mentioned our competitive board.  You will recall that last year in my presentation, um, I described for the — for the first time this initiative that, you know, the board had of restructuring the board, so that we could add — add more outside expertise.

Now, my point of all this is that sometimes the business that we bring to you here as part of this meeting is really important to company, it can’t be done any other way, because it requires the engagement of the stockholders, but it can be boring. So, we’re going to get right at this one, and see if we can get through this in a straightforward way. Okay, so Mike mentioned our competitive board. You will recall that last year, in my presentation, I described for the first time this initiative that the board had of restructuring the board, so that we could add more outside expertise.

Ask for Quality Analysis

quality analysis for verbatim transcription

It’s better if two people sign off on the final document compared to just one.

Furthermore, verbatim transcription rates should include cost of quality analysis as well. 

So, pay extra attention to terms & conditions, because oftentimes your quote may include transcription only. 

If you receive a transcript with errors, you will have to spend your own time cleaning that up.

Our quality analysts give every transcript a final and thorough review to achieve the highest standards of quality.