Peer-reviewed research
Constraints and Opportunities with Interview Transcription: Towards Reflection in Qualitative Research
Daniel G. Oliver et al., Social Forces, 84(2), 2005
Read the originalRead on October 17, 2026
- What it is
- A methods article arguing that interview transcription shapes what research shows. It sets out naturalism and denaturalism as the two main approaches to transcription and asks researchers to reflect on their choices.
- How much weight it carries
- Peer-reviewed. It is a discussion article built on the authors' research experience, so it argues a position rather than measuring error rates.
Facts taken from this source
- Oliver and colleagues describe denaturalized transcription as removing idiosyncratic elements of speech, such as stutters, pauses and nonverbals.
“denaturalism, in which idiosyncratic elements of speech (e.g., stutters, pauses, nonverbals, involuntary vocalizations) are removed.” (Introduction)
- Oliver and colleagues argue that interview transcription is a powerful act of representation, not just a behind-the-scenes task.
“we suggest that transcription is a powerful act of representation.” (Abstract)