Create an interview transcript

An interview transcript is a typed or written version of a recorded conversation. Interview transcripts are very useful when you need to quickly and easily search the content of an interview for key quotes or feedback from research participants.

To create interview transcripts, you'll need recordings of the interviews you conducted, a way to play back the recording, and either pen and paper or a Word document to write on. Create a new document for each interview or use a blank sheet of paper.

Write the participant's name at the top of the page.

Create a brief introduction about the participant, including demographic information, such as age and job title, and information about the participant that's relevant to the product you're designing.

Write down the interview questions in the order they were asked.

Put [UX Researcher] or the interviewer's name in bold and in parentheses before each question asked during the interview. Put the participant's name in bold and in parentheses before each open response box.

If you're transcribing interviews on paper, leave enough space after each question to write in the participant's answers.

Play the recording of the interview and write down the participant's responses to each question verbatim. Be prepared to pause the recording to allow time for transcription.

Creating transcripts for interviews is a useful way to organize your research. Although it may take some time, a verbatim transcription of participant feedback makes it easier to share important quotes and can help you identify themes in the interviews. Your transcripts will be especially useful when you begin summarizing interview data later!