Transcriptions are an essential tool for qualitative research. They provide precise language data for analysis, make studies more accessible, and help you find out what’s working and what isn’t.
However, transcriptions are only sometimes cheap. The rate depends on several factors, including audio quality, number of speakers, rush turnaround time, human vs. machine transcription, and more.
Quality
Transcription quality is defined by how well it meets the client’s requirements. It can be a complex subject, with different definitions for quality depending on the industry. The most important factor is that the transcript must be accurate and clear. This can be achieved by using a professional transcriber with relevant experience. In addition, knowing any jargon or abbreviations that may be used in the audio file being transcribed is helpful.
The overall quality of a transcript can be affected by the time spent completing it. This can be due to the type of audio being transcribed or how complicated it is to translate. For example, a transcription of a medical lecture will require more attention to detail than a recording of a political speech. This is because medical jargon can be difficult to understand and can cause confusion in the transcription process.
In addition, the quality of transcription can be affected by the level of experience of the transcriber. It is important to find a service that uses only experienced transcriptionists. This will ensure that the transcript is accurate and will save time. It will also prevent mistakes such as sounding words, incorrect spelling and empty spaces that can add to significant costs in the long run.
Time
The time it takes to complete transcriptions can vary widely. It depends on several factors, including the audio quality and how quickly the transcriber can type. A simple 1-hour recording can take 4-6 hours to transcribe with a decent typing speed. Still, recordings with multiple speakers, poor audio quality, strong accents, or technical content can take up to 10 hours.
Depending on these factors, you can expect to pay a different rate for your transcription. Some services offer an hourly rate, while others charge per minute. Both rates can benefit businesses, but it’s important to understand which one will work best for your business.
In addition, transcription rates can seem all over the place, and knowing what to look for is not easy. Fortunately, some basic principles can help you find the right transcription service.
Number of Speakers
One major factor affecting transcription rates is the number of speakers. Multi-speaker audio files require more time to transcribe, as the transcriber must distinguish which speaker is speaking and identify any crosstalk between speakers. Additionally, if the speakers are switching between different languages, this can also add to the transcription rate.
Another factor that can increase the transcription rates is the complexity of the subject matter and the use of complex words. This can be especially true when transcribing interviews and group discussions, as it can take longer to transcribe the voices of multiple speakers who are not always clearly audible and whose speech habits may vary in speed or pronunciation.
The quality of the original audio file can also affect transcription rates. Low-quality audio can be difficult to transcribe and will often require the transcriber to rewind and replay sections of the recording to understand what is being said. Additionally, if there is background noise or heavy accents, this can also lead to slower transcription rates. Finally, if the transcript requires specific formatting or additional requests such as timestamps or speaker identification, this can add to the overall transcription rates.
Accents
If the transcriptionist’s native language differs from the audio recording, accents can make the task harder. If the accent is heavy and hard to understand, the transcriber must listen to the audio file more often to decipher it correctly. This can significantly increase the transcription time. Other factors, such as added requests like timestamps, special formatting or verbatim transcripts, also affect transcription rates.
Some transcriptionists are paid by the hour, while the word charges others. The more words they transcribe in an hour, the higher their rate will be. If you hire someone who charges by the hour, it is important to find out how many minutes of audio they can transcribe in an hour. This will help you determine how long they can work before they need a break.
Understanding an unfamiliarly accented talker can initially be difficult, but listeners become better at processing foreign speech. This process is called accent adaptation. Research shows that subtitles facilitate accent adaptation by helping listeners maintain information about the speech event. Interestingly, accent adaptation has also reduced prejudice against non-native speakers. Future research should investigate whether these benefits can be extended to real-life intergroup contact. For example, increasing workplace diversity may allow workers to gain exposure to foreign accents, leading to greater gains in understanding them.
