The development and evaluation of the Jiegnote Transcription Software

Abstract

The transcription process involves activities tailored towards the change of audio data into text and traditionally, Microsoft Word and Windows Media player applications are used to effect the transcription processes. This study sought to overhaul the use of Microsoft Word and Windows Media player in traditional transcription processes with a newer technology, the Jiegnote software, with an intent of optimizing the traditional transcription processes in qualitative research to facilitate managers and employees with agile information services that aid in enhancing timely data analysis and decision making. The name Jiegnote was derived from two words which are; Jig (To do something very fast) and Note (To append text information onto a medium). The study encompassed mixed methods with a randomized control trial implemented from September to November 2020. Study respondents were selected purposively to give feedback pertaining the Jiegnote software. Semi structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews were effected and data was analyzed using thematic (content) analysis method. 26 participants were enrolled, 22 of them answered the semi structured questionnaires and 13 participated in the in-depth interviews. Jiegnote emerged superior to the traditional transcription methods for it was better at reducing transcription time and errors, however, participants responded that it lacked some features that would make it more effective. All participants who took the minimum time to complete the transcription of their respective audio cases committed more total transcription errors and so yielded poorer quality of transcripts compared to their counterparts who took the maximum transcription time on similar cases regardless of either using Jiegnote or the traditional transcription methods and hence, there was an inverse relationship between speed and quality of transcript per audio case completed by a transcriber. The study therefore implicated utilities associated with technological innovations whereby, the newly developed software, Jiegnote, improved the quality of transcripts in a convenient and timely manner, minimized transcription errors and hence improved the quality of transcripts upon transcription and translation processes, however, additional features for future upgrades were suggested to make the software more effective.