Research Transcription: What will my Focus Group or Interview Transcript look like?
Pacific Solutions
in Focus Groups, Interviews, Qualitative Research, Research Transcription
Transcription for research, such as transcribing focus groups and interviews for research and analysis, may require a template or format specific to the needs of the researcher and the qualitative analysis software being used.
Following are some helpful tips on how Sterling Transcription defines, categorises, and presents research transcriptions. By being aware of the options available to you, you can tailor the format and cost of your research transcriptions to suit your specific needs and budget.
Transcriptions for research can be roughly divided into two categories: Interview Transcription and Focus Group Transcription. Interview transcription generally covers conversations with one to three participants. Focus Group transcription is more complex, often with a larger number of interviewees, and may or may not require detailed identification of each speaker.
Research Transcription: Identification and Differentiation of Speakers
Sterling Transcription has a standard format for university transcription and research transcription when it comes to identifying or differentiating speakers. Where identification by name or number is requested, surcharges are likely to apply as the process takes longer, especially for focus groups.
Identification means that where we are requested to identify speakers and names or other identifiers are supplied, such as code or number, we will use those identifiers to identify the speakers in the transcript. Where names are not supplied, identification will be in the form of numbering for each speaker.
Differentiation means that where identification is not requested, speakers will be labeled according to their role in the interview, i.e. ‘Facilitator’, ‘Speaker’. This is the standard practice for Sterling Transcription.
Examples of identification and differentiation are outlined below.
Research Transcription: Interviews – files with 1 to 3 speakers
STANDARD: Speakers will be differentiated as either ‘Facilitator’ or ‘Speaker’, as appropriate. If there are two facilitators or interviewees, these will be further differentiated by voice, i.e. ‘Facilitator’, ‘Speaker 1’, ‘Speaker 2’.
ADVANCED: Where identification is required, speakers will be identified with the names provided.
Example 1:
Facilitator: Hi, I am the facilitator and as the client, I have not requested speaker identification.
Speaker: I am the interviewee.
Example 2:
Facilitator 1: Hi, I am the facilitator and I have not requested speaker identification.
Facilitator 2: Hi, I am also a facilitator and my voice is distinctly different from Facilitator 1.
Speaker: Hi, I am the interviewee Jane. While I do mention my name, the client has not requested speaker identification, so I am simply identified as ‘Speaker’.
Example 3:
John: Hi, I am the facilitator and I have requested speaker identification. I introduce myself as John.
Speaker 1: Hi, I am an interviewee and I am not identified at any stage, although my voice is different from both John and Jane.
Jane: Hi, I am an interviewee and my name is Jane.
Research Transcription: Focus groups – files with 4+ speakers
STANDARD: Sterling Transcription differentiates between facilitators and interviewees, but not between individual interviewees. This means that interviewees will be named simply ‘Speaker’, and a new line is started at each speaker turn. This style is preferred by the majority of clients who use our transcription services as they are more interested in the content of the discussion as a whole, rather than knowing which speaker made certain comments.
ADVANCED: If you would like speakers to be identified or differentiated, please add a note to your files requesting this. If you require names to be used, rather than numeric identifiers, please provide a speaker log with your audio. Where no speaker log is provided, please understand that we can only identify/differentiate numerically on a best-attempts basis, and as such this may not be possible for large focus groups.
Example 1:
Facilitator: Hi, I am the facilitator, and I have not requested speaker identification for this file.
Speaker: Hello, I am an interviewee and the first time I speak I introduce myself as Robert.
Speaker: Hello, I am an interviewee and my voice sounds different from the first speaker, Robert.
Speaker: Hi, I am an interviewee with a voice that sounds different from both Robert and the second interviewee.
Speaker: Hi, I am an interviewee and I could be one of the three interviewees who have already spoken, or a new participant.
Example 2:
Facilitator: Hi, I am the facilitator and as the client, I have requested speakers be identified by number.
Speaker 1: Hi, I am an interviewee.
Speaker 2: Hi, I am an interviewee also, and my voice sounds different from the first speaker.
Speaker 3: Hi, I am an interviewee and my voice is different from both Speaker 1 and Speaker 2.
Speaker 1: Hi, I sound like I am Speaker 1, speaking again.
Example 3:
Facilitator: Hi, I am the facilitator and I have requested speakers be identified by name.
John: Hi, I am John.
James: Hi, I am the interviewee James. While I do not mention my name, other participants call me James so I am identified as such.
Jane: Hi, I am Jane.
John: I have not mentioned my name again, but the typist has been provided with a speaker log so knows it is me speaking.
Research Transcription: Know Your Options
Knowing what options are available to you is important in deciding on the format for your transcription. The more accurate the identification of speakers, the more likely this requirement will incur an additional cost, however, closer identification of speakers may not be a priority for your research.
Sterling Transcription can help with formatting documents in a way that allows automatic synchronisation with the audio when inputting into analysis software, such as NVivo, Leximancer or AtlasTI. We have a proven track record of transcribing audio recordings quickly and professionally.
So for help, advice, and transcription services for research and university transcription, contact Sterling Transcription – on-line, on-time and on-call transcription.
Updated 11/02/2025
Revised: