Speaker Tracking
Guidelines for identifying and consistently tracking speakers throughout transcripts.
Speaker Tracking
Speakers should be tracked consistently unless otherwise specified. Do not alter templates to accommodate long names; abbreviate if needed.
#
Unknown Speakers
Where names are unknown, use:
- 'Interviewer'
- 'Respondent'
- 'Facilitator'
- 'Contributor'
- If the role is unclear, name speakers sequentially as 'Participant 1', 'Participant 2' (tracked as participant)
#
General Guidelines
- Use full speaker names where the template allows
- Sometimes first names are more appropriate depending on context
- Speaker tracking requirements will be specified in project notes
#
Untracked Files
Some files are labelled as untracked. For these, label speakers by role (e.g., Facilitator, Participant, etc.). Differentiate facilitators by number if needed (Facilitator 1, Facilitator 2, etc.).
#
Tracked Files
For larger groups, be consistent throughout the document. Always distinguish the facilitator if present. If a name becomes apparent later, update all instances for consistency. Speaker identifiers should always be followed by a colon, unless a specific template shows otherwise.
#
Useful Tools
- The 'Find and replace' function is helpful for correcting mistakes or changing frequently appearing words
- Autocorrect features can help automate speaker naming and other repetitive tasks