ABSTRACT
Many people new to oral history underestimate the time it takes to transcribe and process interviews. Before undertaking an oral history project, the project manager should determine whether transcription will be useful or necessary. She will need to consider the number of interviews, total recorded hours, available technology, budget, resources and intended use of the transcripts. If she decides the interviews should be transcribed, she’ll have to determine whether to do them in-house or to outsource. This chapter discusses the pros and cons of outsourcing transcription versus doing it in-house, and explores the possibilities of student and volunteer transcribers. It offers tips on finding a transcriptionist, and how best to prepare a contract, style guide and proper noun list once you hire somebody.
