Q. Do you have any recommendations for transcription/ speech-to-text software?

Sure, if you have a Google account and use the Chrome browser, a fast-and-simple solution that does not require any additional downloading is the “Voice Typing” feature under “Tools” in Google Docs. Here are directions for how to customize it and do punctuation: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/4492226?hl=en

And there’s Read&Write Gold (11.5), which we have free access to here at UVa. It has a Speech Input facility to create text.  

However, there are a variety of other transcription software solutions including:

Dragon (expensive, but word-of-mouth is very positive for dictation)

Transcribe: https://transcribe.wreally.com/  and  https://transcribe.wreally.com/guide/

Speechmatics: https://www.speechmatics.com/ and  http://www.nowtranscribe.com/

Speechlogger: https://speechlogger.appspot.com/en/  (This is the program Google uses for Voice Typing in Google Docs)

Transcribe: http://otranscribe.com/  and  http://otranscribe.com/help/

How to digitally record and transcribe an interview: https://jackdougherty.org/2019/01/01/record-and-transcribe-interview/

Listen & Write: Elefant software (they also have a lot of free accessibility tools): http://elefantsoftware-en.weebly.com/ and http://elefantsoftware-en.weebly.com/listen-n-write.html.  

TranscribeMe: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/transcribeme-fast-accurate-transcription/id543407200?mt=8

Express Scribe: http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/

MacSpeech Scribe: https://macspeech-scribe.apponic.com/mac/

Enhilex Medical Transcription Software: http://enhilex.com/medical-transcription-software.html

VoxSigma: http://www.vocapia.com/voxsigma-speech-to-text.html

MAXQDA Standard: http://www.maxqda.com/products/maxqda-standard (also Plus and Analytics Pro)

EuroScribe: https://eurescribe.en.softonic.com/

HyperTRANSCRIBE: http://www.researchware.com/products/hypertranscribe.html

InqScribe

Express Scribe (Mentioned by several. One person doesn’t feel the need to use a pedal; another uses the AltoEdge pedal. Free version good for Mac; PC free version has a lot of adware. Can handle a lot of file types)

The decision on what transcription software to use comes down to time, money, deadlines, tech support needs, and requirements of the class/ department. If a researcher elects to use software, they will need to factor in the time it takes to learn how to use the software as well as the time it will take to transcribe the interviews.

Having everyone in the class/department consistently use the same transcription tool can help create a higher level of support as members can ask others for help solving problems or allowing another person to step into the transcription role if someone graduates.

Some individuals/departments might want to use a fee-based service such as GMR Transcription (favored in the Curry School) or Rev as they reason time and staff are also money.