Turning tapes into text: issues surrounding the transcription of interviews

Transcription of interview data is a common practice in qualitative health research. However, there has been little discussion of the techniques of transcription and the issues inherent in the use of transcription as a strategy for managing qualitative data in nursing publications. The process of transcription may disclose or obscure certain information. Researchers need to question practices of transcription that have been taken for granted and make transparent the processes used to preserve the integrity of data. This paper first examines research reported in nursing and allied health journals employing interviews for data collection and the attention given to the transcription phase. It then deals with issues of concern regarding the transcription of interviews, and offers suggestions for promoting validity.<br />