Skilled Scribes

New Candidate Training Material

Transcription Definitions
Word Clutch:
A word used commonly by a speaker out of context to fill dead spaces in speech such as um, uh, you know, so, like. A word repeated several times in a row out of context. A speaker will start speaking and then change the thought process, startingover again. This is treated differently from a change in thought process in the middle of a sentence.

Stuttering:

False Sentence Start:

Transcription Definitions
Time Stamp:
A mark used to indicate the time a statement was made. This shall always be marked (00:00:00) unless noted otherwise in the special instructions.

Inaudible:

A word or words that can not be understood by the transcriptionist. T is always marked as [inaudible 00: 00:00]unless otherwise noted in the special instructions.

How to receive work

Once you have completed the training and have submitted the test successfully, you will be emailed when there is work available. This is based on a priority of experience, skill and availability. You can also email us at [email protected] to let us know you're ready to work! If you would like to complete the work offered to you, reply back to the email as soon as possible. The work will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis among those it is offered to. If you are assigned the work, you will receive an email with the audio file and a link Google Document. If you do not receive this information, someone else was assigned the work and you will be offered more work later. Don't get discouraged if you do not receive much work at first as you will be offered more as you submit quality transcripts.

Receiving Assignments
When you receive an assignment, you must ensure you receive the following information: Google Docs Link to your blank transcript Number of Audio Mintues (verify this matches the file) An audio file or link to an audio file Transcription Type Special Instructions Due date/time

Transcription Types
There are three Transcription Types: Full Verbatim Cleaned Verbatim Edited Summarized There are three speaker types of Transcription: Individual (only one speaker) Interview (one-two moderators and one-two respondents) Focus Group (one moderator and multiple respondents)

Full Verbatim
Full verbatim is typed word-for-word including word clutches, stuttering, false sentence starts, etc. Time stamps are to be placed every minute, starting at the one minute mark and should be marked as (1:00), (2:00), etc. which is slightly different from time stamps in all other types of transcription. When it is an individual speaker, the entire transcript should be in one paragraph. When there are multiple speakers, each speaker should be in a separate paragraph, separated by a line space. Example of full verbatim:https://docs.google. com/document/d/1ELpjeXK4dA8iOhtGlui66KP96gC9pMsM9nqrxWWbUi4/ edit?hl=en_US

Cleaned Verbatim

Cleaned Verbatim is transcribed word-for-word but omits word clutches, stuttering and false sentence starts. With an individual speaker, proper paragraph structure is to be used. With an interview or focus group, moderator questions will be time stamped above the question and labelled in bold and caps. Use the name where known or use the label MODERATOR: Respondents will not be time stamped, but will be labelled in the same fashion by name, where applicable or use the label RESPONDENT:

Cleaned Verbatim
Example of Individual Speaker Cleaned Verbatim: https://docs.google. com/document/d/1zpcaTsonFA6eaV2d0_seVsUYexo8as8O6 6WW95Jo5gc/edit?hl=en_US

Example of Interview Cleaned Verbatim: https://docs.google. com/document/d/1QfKSiOmLlWgRiqwqPHLlbidICwTEgchW 31W_xICeyq8/edit?hl=en_US

Edited Summarized
Edited Summaries are used when the moderator knows what questions were asked and is only concerned with the answers. Moderator questions are in bold and caps with a time stamp at the beginning and are summarized. The Respondent's answers are directly underneath in quotations. For focus groups, put each respondent's comments on a separate line (with no spaces between) and place the name of the respondent where applicable at the end of their speech in parenthesis. When the moderator provides introductions or instructions at the beginning, omit this and simply place INTRODUCTIONS....

Edited Summarized
Example of Edited Summarized transcript: https://docs.google. com/document/d/13CX8RUiuLbZrYFNUjvoSR430cV_VJvNZ12PKauGfY8/edit?hl=en_US

Special Instructions
Sometimes a transcript requires individual changes from the standard formats. Please pay close attention to these instructions. The following are some examples of special instructions: Sometimes large files are divided into multiple assignments and you may be asked to only transcribe a certain time period of the audio file (ie transcribe 00:30:00 - 01:00:00) Different time stamp format or placement oromission of them Names to be used for speakers Product or company names to be used or omitted changes in formating File type to be used - google docs, word, etc.

Due Dates/Times
Ensure you are aware of the due date and time of your transcript and ensure that you will be able to meet this deadline. If for some reason you cannot complete the deadline, please inform us at [email protected]. We will attempt to give you an extension where possible or reassign any overage. Generally assignments are due 4 hours after they are issued per 30 audio minutes (an hour audio file is due 8 hours after issued) but sometimes they are needed sooner, or where we are able, we will give you more time to complete.

Communication
While you are working on a transcript, we encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns at [email protected]

You are asked to complete your transcription in Google Documents so we can track progress and edit where time frames are tight. If you are working in another program, please copy and paste your progress every 15 minutes maximum!

Payment
Our work week is from Sunday through Saturday. You will be paid for your work during each work week on the following Wednesday. Rates start at $0.25 per audio minute. If on Wednesdays you feel there is a discrepancy in your pay, please contact us at [email protected].

Some Important Transcription Points

Time Stamps Inaudibles Word clutches when used at the beginning of a sentence Stuttering False sentence start (when used) or change of thought process (00:00:00) (00:00:00 inaudible) Capitalized with a comma following (Um,) use dashes and spaces between (I I - I) Use a dash and spaces between. (There is a - the other day I went there)

Some Important Transcription Points

Numbers ten and under written out (one, two, three) 11 and over written numerically (20, 30, 40) percentages always numerical with percentage sign (8%) decimals always numerical (1.22)

Some Important Transcription Points

Font Size Spacing Arial 11 point Two spaces after a period. One otherwise. Mark the timestamps and reason, where applicable, regarding the lack of content in caps and italics:
(00:00:00 - 00:01:10 NO
AUDIO WHILE MODERATOR CONSULTSCOLLEAGUES)

Long periods of no content

Transcription Information
At the top of each example that you've seen, there have been some consistent information which is required to be included before submitting: Audio File Name Transcriptionist's Name Instructions Transcription Note

Transcription Information
You will receive a Google Document link with your blank transcript. Please complete in this document or paste progress to the document every 15 minutes maximum Place your name as the transcriptionist below the audio file name. (Transcriptionist: Jane Doe) This is important to ensure you receive credit/payment for it. Check for Instructions.

Transcription Information
When transcript is completed, place a transcription note above it with information regarding the quality of the audio, the quality of the transcript and the number of inaudibles. Place in italics. Examples: [Transcriptionist Note: Good audio resulted in a high quality transcription with no inaudibles] [Transcriptionist Note: Accented speaker resulted in two inaudible marks] [Transcriptionist Note: Speakers talking over one another resulted in five inaudibles.]

Confidentiality
The material that you transcribe while you work with Skilled Scribes is confidential and sometimes very sensitive material. Please delete all transcripts and audio files upon payment for them and do not share the information with others. Breach of confidentiality will not be taken lightly and will be dealt with accordingly up to and including termination of employment with Skilled Scribes.

Thanks!
Thank you for your interest in working with Skilled Scribes!

We look forward to working with you!