Transcription
Why Use Non-AI (Human) Transcription Support?
An accurate typist will transcribe your audio in an approximate 3:1 ratio of time. So, one hour of recorded audio should take 3 hours to transcribe, with potential additional proofing time on top. This is dependent on factors such as quality of the audio, number of speakers, accents and the level of accuracy required.
This does not mean your transcript will be returned 3 hours after Ciara receives it! Workload can be affected by priorities or other commitments, so turnaround time is determined by discussing how urgently you need a transcript and Ciara’s existing commitments.
It is not immediate - as a computer-generated transcript would be – but it is far more accurate and consistent.
You will receive a transcript that is complete and which you can immediately begin to analyse. A computer-generated transcript will require editing before analysis. There will be more gaps in the transcript, which could lead to questions of bias or partiality in your research.
You may already agree that consistent human transcription gives your findings an edge. You may be trying to transcribe them yourself. Removing yourself from the transcription process not only saves you time that could be better spent recruiting, interviewing and analysing, it strengthens the conclusions you draw from your research because they come from a robust transcript.
Human transcription may at first seem more expensive but Ciara’s transcription rates, tiered into a Gold, Silver and Bronze service for interview transcription, are competitive within the industry and offer value for money. Contact Ciara early in planning your research project to factor transcription into the proposal you submit for funding application.
Ciara does work with AI-generated output for short letter transcription, please see below.
Transcription Rates
Applicable to quotes provided from September 2025 onwards.
Earlier quotes will be honoured.
Short Letter Transcription
Letter typing, either from dictation or editing of your AI-generated output, is charged at the usual hourly rate for secretarial, PA or administrative work.
Report Transcription from Dictation (e.g. Building Survey Reports)
Longer reports from clear recorded dictation are charged at a flat rate of £1.50 per audio minute (PAM).
Interview or Focus Group Transcription
Most of Ciara's interview and focus group transcription is for academic research, however market research, human resources or journalistic interviews and focus groups can also be accommodated.
Transcription turnaround and cost is dependent on factors such as the quality of the audio, number of speakers, accents and the level of accuracy required. Where the nature of the content is challenging, this will also incur an additional fee.
The minimum level of accuracy Ciara will transcribe to is verbatim, which is every word stated, excluding umms and ahhs. Customers may also opt for strict verbatim, which is every word stated, including the umms and ahhs.
Ciara’s interview and focus group transcription rates, tiered into a Gold, Silver and Bronze service, are competitive within the industry.
Additionally, Ciara’s normal way of working is for her to transcribe all audio personally, as this leads to greater consistency across transcripts compared to larger providers.
Ciara reserves the right to use associate typists to fulfil orders in the event of illness, accident or emergency.
Gold = 24-hour turnaround
Silver = 3 working days
Bronze = as and when Ciara can transcribe around existing commitments.
*The Gold, Silver and Bronze services apply to individual recordings. Where customers do not upload recordings as they go along but submit all recordings at the end of the project, the applicable fee will be Bronze with an agreed deadline for the return of all transcripts.
What is "Challenging Content?"
Sometimes tough conversations are needed, however they can be a difficult listen for the transcriber.
Ciara uses the term “Challenging Content” to describe any conversation that may include discussion of emotionally charged or graphic topics. Examples include themes of any kind of emotional, physical or sexual abuse, detailed descriptions of injuries or medical conditions.
Ask: if your content were an item being reported on by the media, would it come with a content or trigger warning?
What is the Transcription Process?
Ciara’s preferred method of file-sharing is via Microsoft Teams. Microsoft security capabilities and UK-based service make it a secure and robust way to share files in compliance with data legislation.
Upload your files for transcription and receive a transcript as a Word document uploaded in return. Advise of any formatting preferences or accessibility requirements.
Larger projects, please upload interviews for “transcribe as you go” to avoid a period of delay at the end of your interviews before you can begin analysis.
Ciara will share a terminology document with you to ensure correct and consistent representation of any specialist vocabulary.
Download a PDF copy of these rates
