Organization and Management Theory OMT

Interview transcription services - recommendations?

  • 1.  Interview transcription services - recommendations?

    Posted 03-21-2012 17:55
    (apologies for cross-posting)

    Hi, all,

    I'm a Ph.D. student at Duke's Fuqua School of Business, studying Management and Organizations, and I'm leading a research project where we are interviewing a large number of people to build theory. We need a transcription service that can accurately and rapidly handle a fairly large number of interviews at a reasonable cost (i.e., we want everything for nothing - typical customers :) ). While the interviews are in English (so far), many of these interviews are from non-native English speakers; thus, any transcription service needs to have a good track record of accurately transcribing accented English.

    We can find a number of services on the web; however, that doesn't necessarily mean that they'll be appropriate for academic research. If you have experience with particular services, please write to me at:


    You can also write to me at the address above (thomas.a.wicker@gmail.com).

     I'll compile the list and distribute it for others. Unless you request otherwise, I'll include any comments or information you provide. Would love to have info on:
    * When you last used the service
    * What kind of material you were having transcribed (structured interviews, semi-structured, audio/video media, etc.)
    * What kind of research it was intended for
    * If it has already been published, where it was published
    * Any particular bits of advice in dealing with the service (e.g., "Ask for X," "Make sure directions are explicit," "They prefer using Skype to discuss details," "Great for transcribing people with Accent Type A, not so much for Accent Type B," etc.)
    * Anything else you think would be helpful.

    Thanks for taking the time to read this, and, if you're able to send such information, thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to put it together. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Have a great rest of your week, and take care!

    yrs,
    Thomas 
    -------------------------------------------
    Thomas Wicker
    Durham, NC, USA

    Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest.
      -- Mark Twain