How to transcribe an interview faithfully
For a thesis, an article or qualitative research, an interview transcript must be faithful: quotes have to match what was actually said. Here's how to get there quickly without giving up accuracy.
Before the interview
- Ask for consent to record and explain how you'll use the text; for academic research also follow your ethics committee's rules.
- Record in a quiet room, with the microphone halfway between you and the interviewee.
- Make a short test recording and listen to it before starting.
- Write down proper names, acronyms and technical terms that may come up: you'll need them when checking.
Verbatim or clean
Qualitative research often needs verbatim transcripts, with hesitations and repetitions, because pauses carry meaning too. For an article or thesis a clean, more readable version is usually enough, as long as the meaning stays identical. Sbobina Subito prepares both: switch with one click.
Checking names and quotes
Proper names are the weak point of any automatic transcription. Sbobina Subito flags them separately as "proper name to verify", with the minute in the audio, so you can check them all at once against your notes.
Before using a quote in your final text, always replay the passage: with the link to the minute it takes seconds.
Confidentiality
Interviews often contain personal data. On Sbobina Subito the text is encrypted, administrators can't read it, and everything is deleted after download: audio right away, text after 24 hours. You can delete audio and text at any time with one click.
Step by step
Record with consent
Ask for consent and record in a quiet room, with the microphone close to both speakers.
Upload and choose the language
Upload the file and set the interview language.
Check names and uncertain passages
Verify proper names and highlighted spots by replaying the exact minute.
Choose verbatim or clean and download
Pick the version that fits your use and download the Word file.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need consent to record an interview?
Yes: the interviewee must know they're being recorded and how you'll use the recording. For theses and research also follow your university's guidance.
Does the transcript identify who is speaking?
For now the text is continuous and split into paragraphs at pauses; you can add speaker names directly in the editor before downloading the Word file.
Can I quote the interviewee from the transcript?
Yes, after checking the passage against the audio: with the link to the minute it takes seconds.