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EHHS Faculty and Graduate Students Transcription Services

General Information on Transcription Projects

  • EHHS faculty receive an unlimited number of hours of college-supported transcription services for non-funded projects, at no charge to the faculty member.
  • Doctoral students working on their dissertation and master's students working on their theses receive a total of 40 hours of college-supported transcription serves, at no charge to the student.
  • The Bureau accepts audio recordings in a variety of electronic formats (e.g., mp3, mp4, wma). Please talk with us if your recordings are in a different format.
  • Documentation of IRB approval must be provided to the Bureau prior to the start of any transcription work.
  • Eight minutes of a recorded file typically translates to an hour of transcribing labor. Thus, an hour of recording requires approximately 8 hours of transcribing labor. The average audio file of 40 minutes requires approximately 5 hours of transcribing labor.

Tips for Obtaining Quality Audio Recordings

  • Minimize background noise.
    • Background noise makes it difficult to transcribe your recording accurately. Select a setting that is quiet and free of interruptions.
  • Discourage participants from talking over one another.
    • It is difficult to transcribe audio recordings when more than one person is talking at a time.
  • Remind participants to speak clearly and at appropriate volumes—transcribers need to clearly hear participants.
  • Test recording devices prior to recording.
    • Sound quality is important to having a well-transcribed interview, lecture or meeting. Test to make sure your recording device is working properly and is optimally positioned in the room to record audio clearly from all participants.
  • Remember, the better the recording, the more accurate, timely, and cost-effective the transcription will be!