![]() Record every time you can to capture detail, but take notes as well just in case your digital recorder malfunctions. Personally, I believe the hybrid method is best. However, digital recorders with an automatic transcription are essential if you are conducting a long, technical interview. ![]() Note-taking is great for impromptu interviews. Some jurisdictions require you to have written consent before you record an interview.Īs detailed above, the way to capture details from an interview vary, and different people find different methods work best for their needs. Some sources may not even allow their interviews to be recorded. ![]() Recorders can make some interviewees nervous. ![]() Meaning there is a real possibility you have no record of your interview at all.Īn external noise can easily block a key piece of detail the source says if you aren’t following good interviewing techniques. Recorders can malfunction and batteries die. Using a digital recorder has it’s downfalls too: Cons “Without those transcripts, I guarantee I would have made many more mistakes than I did.” - Barry Newman, Former reporter, 'The Wall Street Journal' If you have multiple speakers, an automatic transcription will note when a speaker changes. If you are conducting a ton of qualitative research, an automatic transcription of an audio recording allows you an easier way to take a fresh look at the interview data and compare to other interviews. Studies have shown that recorded interviews allow the interviewee and interviewer to develop and foster a better relationship and rapport, which lead to the interviewee disclosing more detailed and in-depth information.Īutomatic transcription of the audio saves you time, as any quotes you want to use are already typed out.Īlso, the automatic transcription gives you an easily searchable Word document. Video and audio records allow interviewers to protect themselves against allegations about what was said in an interview. You can maintain eye contact with your source, thus making the interview feel more like a conversation. Recording is invaluable when conducting technical interviews, helping you to note jargon more accurately. Using a recording allows you more time to jot down notes on non-verbal communication. Recording allows you to get everything your interviewee says, word-for-word. Other benefits of recording include: Pros In a few short minutes, you have a word-for-word account of what is said. After the interview, the recording is easily converted from audio to text using automatic transcription. Many journalists and researchers swear by using a digital recorder, or their smartphone, to capture interviews. Whilst note-taking may be the time-honoured way to interview, it certainly isn’t the easiest. Note-taking is way more difficult if you have multiple speakers, because you also have to make a note of who said what. Notes will have to be typed up later, costing you time. Getting word-for-word accurate quotes is nearly impossible with just a pen and paper. It’s hard to jot down everything a source says, especially if they are a fast talker. You can easily jot down additional questions that might arise during the interview.īut note-taking has its downsides too: Cons Something a digital recorder cannot pick up. You are more likely to record the non-verbal aspects of an interview, like facial expressions and body language. You don’t have to worry about a dead battery. Less obtrusive than using a digital recorder and may help put a source more at ease. Notebooks and pens are cheap and easy to transport. Note-taking remains the only way some individuals will interview for these reasons: Pros Whether you are a journalist, a researcher, or a student, it’s unlikely you would sit down to conduct an interview without some way to manually jot down details. So what are the pros and cons of both recording and note-taking and which one is right for you? Note-TakingĪ notebook and a pen or pencil have long been the go-to tools for any interviewer. So the long answer, which is better seems to depend on the individual, the situation, and the type of writing you are doing. Jean Carroll, Advice columnist for 'Elle' ‘I record everything and I take notes as well.’ - Nancy Jo Sales, Magazine journalist and author of 'The Bling Ring' ‘I record whenever it’s possible.’ - Elizabeth Spiers, Founder of 'The Insurrection' I never owned one and do not even know how to operate one.’ - Gay Talese, Literary journalist and author of several books including 'The Kingdom and the Power' When conducting an interview which is better: using a digital voice recorder or taking notes the old-fashioned way with a pen and paper.Ī recent article by the Columbia Journalism Review showed some interesting results on what top journalists and writers prefer:
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