The level of verbatim you choose should be influenced by the qualitative methodology you are using. In certain qualitative methodologies the use of language is an important and meaningful aspect of the analysis process. In other methodologies, it may be that features such as filler words or word repetitions will not add any value to your analysis - it would therefore be in your best interests not to transcribe these in the first place.

At Academic Consulting, we make the distinction between 'Intelligent Verbatim' and 'Complete Verbatim'. There is a third level of verbatim called 'Edited Verbatim' which involves actually correcting participants grammar and sentence structure, but we do not believe this is a useful format for us to provide to our clients.

Intelligent Verbatim is the most cost effective method of transcription. It is a full and accurate transcript without repeated and unnecessary words that frequently occur hundreds of times within an interview. These extra words often add little value and can make the text more difficult to analyse as they are distracting and require extra reading. Our suggestion is that if you do not require these “fillers” then there is little point paying for them.

However, if the use of language is important for your analysis, you should consider our Complete Verbatim service. The specifics of each technique are described below:

Intelligent Verbatim

Does not include:

• Filler words such as ums, ahs, and ers (unless they are at the beginning of a sentence and followed by a long pause)
• “Meaningless” statements such as “I mean”, “you know” (unless related to the context)
• Words that are started but not completed
• Word repetitions e.g. “So I said, I said, I said to him ...” or other stutters/stammers
• Any initial comments made on the recording that are not relevant to the content e.g., “I’ll just put that recorder there and hopefully it will pick everything up ...”

Does include/retain:

• All other words stated, even if not grammatically correct e.g. sentences that are started but not finished or changes of tack within a sentence
• Slang, abbreviated words, and contractions
• The overall style and meaning of what is said

Complete Verbatim

Includes:

• All filler words such as ums, ahs and ers and “meaningless” statements such as “I mean”, “you know”
• Words that are started but not completed
• Sentences that are started but not completed
• Word repetitions e.g. “So I said, I said, I said to him ...”

Examples

Intelligent Verbatim

Well, I dunno really, you know what I mean? When I asked them what Mary's condition was they said “I'm afraid we can't tell you that Mrs Smith, 'cause you ain't a relative”.

Complete Verbatim

Um, well, I dunno really, know what I mean? I mean, you know, when I asked them what Mary's, er, um, condish, condit-, condition was, they said like um “I'm afraid we can't, um, tell you that Mrs Smith, 'cause you ain't a relative”.