1. BAM Annual Conference, 9th -11th September 2008
Sarah Ayres & Ian Stafford School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, UK
‘Exploring the Quality and Validity of Voice Recognition Software: lessons from the field’
BAM Annual Conference, 9th -11th September 2008

2. Introduction
This paper describes the use of Voice Recognition (VR) Software Dragon V8 as part of an ongoing ESRC project.
We have received repeated requests for information from academic colleagues regarding our experiences with the software, this paper will provide a non-technical overview of our early experiences.
This paper will focus on three key questions:
Why use VR software?
How has VR software been applied within our project?
What are the key lessons from using VR software in the field?

3. Why use VR software?
Many researchers use professional transcribers due to time consuming nature of transcription
Professional transcription can be characterised errors which affect the quality and accuracy of data
VR Software provides a potential alternative, providing researchers with a faster and higher quality mode of transcription
Communication with VR software expert, Neil Winto, identify potential applications for the project
The use of the software responded to ESRC emphasis on applying new methods
The ESRC project proposed an evaluation of the VR software, in comparison to professional transcription

4. How has VR software been applied within our project?
Dictation
Recording and transcribing the researcher’s own voice
The Dragon software is able to automatically transcribe the recording as a word document
Able to make notes which can be quickly passed on to colleagues e.g. key themes, potential codes…
Provided the user speaks clearly and consistently, the quality of the transcription has proved to be very good

5. How has VR software been applied within our project?
Transcription
Software has been used to transcribe both face to face and telephone interviews
Although it is possible to not use the keypad at all, both researchers found that it was still easier in formatting text
Training the Dragon software is an ongoing process, it is important to avoid manual corrections
Variables such as quality of microphone, clarity of dictation and training effect the level of errors

6. Conclusions:
The Dragon software in combination with didgital recording equipment is easy to use but expert help is very important in the installation and training process.
Overall, the VR software performed better than expected and the transcription process appears to be quicker than manual typing.
However, the process of transcription remains arduous and there will always be errors using VR software.