Blog chevron right Transcription

How to Get an Academic Transcript Done

Daniel Chang
Daniel Chang
Posted in Zoom Dec 11 · 13 Dec, 2015
How to Get an Academic Transcript Done

As education evolved over the years, so has the way people study. The way we document and digest information is no exception. Instead of relying on our memory or taking notes while listening to a lecture or performing research, we can simply press the record button on our phone and get our audio transcribed by a professional academic transcription service.

What Is an Academic Transcript?

Transcription can heavily impact your academic success, from the first lecture to the final thesis at university or college. The final thesis is an academic study or research proposal that contains one’s original findings and theories. Students collect their data using peer-reviewed papers, academic literature, audio recordings, interviews, podcasts, lectures, seminars, etc. Once the research is done, these forms of supporting data need to be transcribed and assembled into a well-organized document.

Why Do Students Start Doing It on Their Own?

Typically, the reason is a tight budget and the common stereotype that transcription services are expensive. And of course, enthusiasm is the second (rather tricky) motive, which inspires students to believe that everything is possible and doable. But after spending 6-7 hours transcribing a 40-minute interview, for instance, many of them realize it would have been easier, faster, and actually cheaper to hire a professional transcriber from the beginning.

How to Get It Done? Benefits of Academic Transcription Service

What are the key advantages of academic transcription, and why is using a reputable transcription provider the best option for students, professors, lecturers, researchers, and educational institutions? Let’s find out!

  • It saves time

Transcribing is exhausting and time-consuming. It takes approximately 10 hours for an amateur to transcribe 60 minutes of audio because they lack the practice, the typing speed, and the necessary hardware and software. Professionals who transcribe every day are much more productive.

  • It keeps you focused

Spending time on transcribing means there would be less time for summarizing the data and writing the dissertation text itself. Additionally, it is more challenging to engage the creative process if one spends all their energy on the transcription process.

  • It improves content accuracy

Transcribing academic material is not a walk in the park and often leads to severe errors if done by an inexperienced individual. If you use a reputable academic transcription provider, you don’t have anything to worry about - subject matter experts in your field of study will handle the transcription.

  • It streamlines the research process

Professional researchers can also benefit from academic transcription. Taking notes while performing research can be incredibly disruptive. Using a voice recorder or a smartphone to record observations makes things significantly easier. It’s also a great way to handle research interviews, group discussions, and other situations where taking notes just doesn’t work.

On top of that, a text document is easier to navigate than audio or video content. Instead of scrubbing a recording in search of a specific word, phrase, or sentence, you can just search the transcript and find it in a second.

  • It assists learning

The main advantage of academic transcription is that it allows students to record seminars, lectures, and Q&A sessions word-for-word. Being able to go over this content again later ensures they don’t miss anything. Universities can also benefit from lecture recording and uploading lectures to their website.

  • It boosts accessibility

Academic transcription is extremely useful for non-native speakers and people with hearing impairments. ESL students can use transcripts to go over the content at their own pace or transcribe them into their native language to ensure they understand everything. 

Why Hiring a Transcription Service Is the Best Option

Now you know how to get academic transcripts and how they can help your education endeavors. While outsourcing your transcription tasks might seem unnecessary, a professional academic transcription service will ensure your notes and other recordings are accurate and accessible, so you can save time and speed up your way to academic success!