Which Verbatim Style Is Best for Interviews, Focus Groups, or Research?

When conducting qualitative research, the quality of your data doesn’t end with how you ask the questions. It also depends on how responses are captured and preserved. Whether you’re working with recorded interviews, focus groups, or open-ended conversations, transcription plays a critical role in shaping the depth and clarity of your analysis.

One major decision researchers often face is choosing between full verbatim and clean verbatim transcription. Each style has its place, and knowing which one is right for your project can save you time, preserve authenticity, and ensure your insights are grounded in accurate representation.

What Are Verbatim Transcription Styles?

Verbatim transcription is the process of converting spoken audio into written text exactly as it is heard.

There are two main styles:

1. Full Verbatim: Also known as "strict" or "true" verbatim. This includes every word and sound, such as:

   • Filler words ("um," "uh," "you know")

   • False starts ("I was going to, well, I mean...")

   • Stutters or repeated words ("I-I-I don't know")

   • Non-verbal sounds ("[laughs]," "[sighs]," "[background noise]")

   • Pauses, incomplete sentences, interruptions

     
     

2. Clean Verbatim: Also called "intelligent" or "edited" verbatim. This style cleans up the transcript while keeping the meaning. It removes:

   • Fillers and repeated words

   • False starts and corrections

   • Irrelevant sounds and background noises

   • Non-essential non-verbal elements

   
   

Full Verbatim: When Every Detail Matters

Best for:

• Linguistic studies

• Discourse analysis

• Legal depositions

• Behavioral research

• Psychotherapy sessions

• Projects where how something is said matters just as much as what is said

Example Audio:

"I, uh, I was kind of thinking that, maybe, um, it could work, you know? Like, I mean, if we just try a bit harder..."

Full Verbatim Transcript:

"I, uh, I was kind of thinking that, maybe, um, it could work, you know? Like, I mean, if we just try a bit harder..."

This style captures hesitation, uncertainty, tone, and communication patterns that may be critical to your analysis.

Pros:

• Complete linguistic record

• Great for behavioral and conversational analysis

• Captures emotion, pauses, and speaker dynamics

Cons:

• Can be harder to read

• Takes longer to produce and review

• May include distracting elements for general reporting

Clean Verbatim: Clear and Focused on Meaning

Best for:

• Academic research that focuses on content

• Market research summaries

• Thematic analysis in social sciences

• Business interviews and stakeholder feedback

• Reports or presentations

Example Audio:

"I, uh, I was kind of thinking that, maybe, um, it could work, you know? Like, I mean, if we just try a bit harder..."

Clean Verbatim Transcript:

"I was thinking that maybe it could work if we just try a bit harder."

Clean verbatim makes transcripts easier to read and analyze, especially when looking for patterns or themes.

Pros:

• Easy to read and review

• Focuses on the speaker’s main message

• Works well for reporting and quoting

Cons:

• Removes subtle speech cues

• Less useful for tone or behavior analysis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Full Verbatim	Clean Verbatim
Includes filler words	Yes	No
Captures false starts	Yes	No
Non-verbal sounds	Yes (e.g., [laughs], [sighs])	No or limited
Best suited for	Behavioral and language research	Thematic analysis and summaries
Readability	Lower	Higher
Editing time	Longer	Shorter

Which One Should You Use?

Choose Full Verbatim if:

• You need to analyze how something is said

• Your work involves group dynamics, tone, or speaker behavior

• You're in linguistics, therapy, or legal work where details matter

Choose Clean Verbatim if:

• You’re focusing on the message and ideas

• You need readable transcripts for reports or analysis

• You’re working with large volumes of content

What About a Hybrid Option?

Some researchers prefer a custom approach. In this hybrid style, filler words are removed, but important non-verbal cues like [laughs] or [long pause] are kept. This works well for:

• Focus groups with emotional reactions

• Personal interviews where tone is relevant

• Transcripts that will be quoted but still need emotional context

Final Thoughts

There is no single best transcription style. The right choice depends on your research goals, your audience, and how you plan to use the data.

At QualTranscribe, we offer both full and clean verbatim transcription, along with hybrid options customized to your needs. Whether you're preparing for academic research, market studies, or institutional reports, we can help you choose the right approach.