Via voice is one of two software packages which enable you to dictate into
your computer, rather than having to type (or use a tablet and write!).
The other package is Dragon 'naturally speaking'.
The two packages have aprox the same recognition rate (90-95%) and training
time (1 hour - and then improving as you use them for the next 10 hours.
If you buy via voice or dragon, then try to buy a copy with a microphone
headset as the type of mike you need is specific to this application - your
DJ mike won't work!
Dabs.com and or PC world may have some offers -0 I got mine from Dabs. It
cost me about 40 ukp
Neil
-----Original Message-----
From: Mathew Guest [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 29 April 2003 09:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: to transcribe or not to transcribe?
Vibha,
Thanks for your thoughtful contribution - you are right, of course: an open
mind is the
most crucial component of the research process.
I wonder if you could say a bit more about viavoice. I am not aware of this
device and am
keen to explore the options as far as time-saving transcription software is
concerned.
Could you say something about how it works and how much it costs?
Thanks!
MG
vibha arora wrote:
> Dear all,
> I have been folowing the discussions on this list and
> the various interesting responses posted here.
> I am going to add another to these. I am currently
> writing my thesis. During my fieldwork in a very
> sensitive and conflict ridden part of South Asia and
> among extremely self-conscious politicised and
> sometimes scared individuals, i rarely had any
> opportunities to record or tape interviews. The
> dangers of being found taping with hidden recorders
> outweighed the merits or the ethics of the situation.
> I entered through contacts which gave me credibility
> such that i was welcomed and encouraged to write about
> them.
> I jotted notes of my conversations and discussions,
> informal and formal interviews. As i realised I could
> not tape them so i worked hard at recording them in my
> memory. My respondents were not willing to be
> recorded, the only thing i recorded was a translation
> of a long Tibetan text, few songs and recitals during
> rituals. Even offers of presenting transcripts would
> not have elicited data, as people preferred to be
> anonymous. Sometimes I would ask them if they were
> willing to be quoted on a statement, and i got their
> assent on these there and then. I left the fieldwork
> area with a committment that select people in the
> field would have access to my thesis and right of
> dissent.
> What i am trying to say is that instead of adopting
> pre-determined attitudes we should try out multiple
> strategies in the field. That is the way I had to work
> at gathering my data.
> Maybe Elaine you should experiment with a few
> interviews and write a preliminary peice and compare
> the benefits of either approach. Transcribing for your
> own data is a very different experience from
> transcribing for others. It is not drudgery, but
> remembering, a pleasure as you write your thesis. As
> you have indicated you have established your
> credibility and are taping conversations, so obviously
> some element of personal interest and committment is
> involved in your research. Your expression of ethical
> considerations is appropriate.
> Elaine, again i would suggest that you should learn
> from your past experiences in varying capacities, yet
> do not let certain negative or uncomfortable
> experiences and impressions colour your methodological
> approach or the process of thesis writing.
> I don't know if my comments are helpful. Ultimately
> each of us have to tailor our methodology and decide
> what suits both our research design and our
> personalities. Talking and discussing with peers
> definitely helps.
> I will add here that i have been using end-note since
> november 2000 and i have used it not just for
> bibliographies but to construct a database of the
> interviews and discussions, profiles of persons after
> my fieldwork. I was working in an extremely backward
> and remote parts that had no electricity hence i could
> not use computers but had to rely on note-books. I
> spent 14 months in the field.
> People did not get distracted with these note-taking
> actions as it gave them a sense of importanvce that
> what they uttered was imp. Although they were not
> willing to be taped.
> Yes, i have used viavoice for transcribing interviews
> and seminars. It is a helpful package and helps to
> minimise wrist fatigue. Although i prefer to type my
> thoughts out while writing the thesis. But the package
> has worked effectively when i was transcribing other
> peoples' work during my stint in the voluntary sector.
>
> Best of luck to all those in the midst of or thinking
> of starting fieldwork. I would like to suggest that
> the ultimate tool we all need while gathering data
> during fieldwork is to keep an open mind, a balanced
> perspective and above all not project a opinionated or
> rigid image in either fieldwork or later when writing
> our thesis. Our subjective experiences will have an
> impact but we should try to minimise them as well.
>
> cheers!
> vibha
>
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