As Hammersly (2010) mentioned in the article, there are critical decisions in transcription process. For me the most important two of those decisions are:
1) How much of the audio record will I transcribe? If I won't transcribe all of them, which sections will I transcribe and how will I decide those sections?
2) How much detail (i.e. utterances, etc.) will I include in my transcription?
In my dissertation data, I have almost 12-hours audio record for the group discussion of each group. I have at least 2 hours whole class discussion, and records of group interviews and individual interviews. In addition to those, I have a lot of written data.
I have to start transcribing soon, but this turned to be a nightmare: Where to start making decisions? How to explain the rationale of my decisions?
Moreover, all of those records are in Turkish. So after I transcribe, I should translate and ensure the validity of my translation by finding a second researcher knowing both language. This issue also leads me to be more selective for the parts that I will translate.
I am assuming that I overcame this problem and decided on the parts of the records to transcribe and then translate. Then my next question will be: Should I accept that my data composed of only those transcribed parts? Or can I still analyze other parts which were not transcribed?
I know there is a debate on this issue in qualitative research. At least, I know that current technology allows us to code audio and video data as well as visual images. However, I do not know how to defend my position if I want to analyze those non-transcribed sections of audio records.
I think Markle, West and Rich's discussion will help me to describe and justify my position on analyzing untranscribed data. However, I currently haven't finished this week's readings. I am hoping to learn about those as I read more about it in this course.
References that will probably help me to explain my rationalization:
Hammersley, M. (2010). Reproducing or constructing? Some questions about transcription in social research. Qualitative Research 10(5), 553-569.
Markle, West & Rich (2011). Beyond transcription: Technology, change and refinement of method. FORUM: Qualitative Social Research 12(3), Art. 21.
