I've read the earlier messages with interest. We have just started group interviews as
part of a project where we are interviewing household groups within
their homes. I'm interested that no-one has mentioned using a mini-disk recorder for
focus group interviews. We have just purchased one (on the recommendation of a
colleague) and the sound quality is fantastic - the voices are recognisable... even down
to mumbling!. There is also no problem about tapes running out as if a mini-disk is
recorded in mono its running time is around 148 minutes (about two and a half hours!).
They are also reasonably priced (at c. 250 uk pounds). Unfortunately I don't have the
details of the model to hand.
I do remember a discussion on this list a while ago about the problem of transcribing
from mini-disks. However this is overcome by recording the mini-disk onto tape
(attachments to connect the mini-disk recorder to a stereo are included!) . We've found
the resulting tape is still clearer and of better quality than any interviews we've
recorded directly onto tape as there is virtually no background hiss.
Liz Kenyon
Ps. Thanks for the tips about placing the microphone on a soft surface. We've actually
been doing this by default so far, but will make sure we do it in the future.
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Dr. Liz Kenyon
Research Fellow
Department of Sociology and Social Policy
University of Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Tel: 01703 594863
Email: [log in to unmask]
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