Checklist for REMOTE notes

Formatting
• Correct template used with Header & Footer in correct format. File name should be in the footer aligned to the left
with the page number aligned to the right. Both of these should be on the same line and in Calibri size 12, non bold.
• File name box in bold Title Case text, matching the audio name exactly, minus your name or file length, should they
appear in it.
• Transcriber Comments filled in. Note the number & gender of moderators/respondents. Always note the quality of
audio.
• Respondents correctly identified by gender. If there is more than one moderator, has this been noted and have you
formatted their speech correctly and as per the guidelines?
• Text fully justified/aligned to both sides and in Times New Roman, size 12 throughout. Respondents in regular text,
moderator in bold.
• Paragraphs should never run over 15 lines.
• Adverts/ scripts read out formatted correctly and as per the guidelines
• File should be fully justified, i.e. aligned to both sides.
Timecodes
• Starter timecode on a line of its own in regular text reflecting the exact time you started transcribing.
• Ten minute timecodes in the correct format (TC: HH:MM:SS) and in the correct places throughout file. Remember
these can be a few seconds out in remote notes as long as the timecode shows this and it reflects what is being said at
the time.
Spelling
• All names and brands researched correctly on official sites.
• File has been spellchecked and ALL red lines eliminated once you are sure all words, names, brands, etc. are correct.
Correct use of capital letters at starts of sentences, for names, brands, titles of books, songs, TV programmes, etc. the
letter ‘I’ and at the start of a direct quote.
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• Digits used for all numbers and consistent throughout. No chopping and changing between text and digits.
• Money formatted with currency sign and amount in digits (or digits and text if over a million), eg. £4, £3,000, £2
million
• Times of day formatted correctly, eg. 4:00pm, seven o’ clock
Grammar
• Apostrophes used correctly to indicate possession (not plural!) and used correctly to take the place of missing letters,
eg. it’s / its
• Use of And/But/Because at the start of a sentence should be omitted or sentence restructured to avoid this.
• Check use of you’re/your and they’re/their/there, etc. to ensure you have used the correct word.
Punctuation
• Every sentence punctuated at the end.
• No lengthy sentences. Notes should be fairly punchy and to the point
• Correct use of -, You should really be able to avoid many uses of this in notes files
• Avoid use of colons and semi colons. NO dashes or ellipses. Watch out for excessive use of exclamation marks
• Direct quotes and inverted commas formatted correctly and as per guidelines
Inaudibles/ph guesses
• Minimal, if at all
• Correct format used for inaudible/ph guesses, eg. 4 digits before the hour, 6 after. (? 00.47) (ph 01.06.12)
• Decent attempts made at phonetic guesses rather than multiple inaudibles.
• All inaudibles must be justifiable and not easily deciphered at this end. They are ALL checked!
Accuracy (MOST IMPORTANT!)
• Make sure that what you have written makes sense to a reader. Page count should be 9-12 pages per hour of audio.
This may increase slightly in focus groups.
At the end…
• Go back over inaudibles and ph guesses while proofreading your file for errors.
• Google all brands and names, etc. ensuring you have spelt them correctly.
• One final spellcheck. Ensure zoom is set to 100%. Save file with .doc (not .docx) extension.