Frequently Asked Questions
Q How do I send Pacific Solutions my audio recordings?
We provide clients with an account on Pacific Solutions' secure website. When you have an audio file ready for transcription, you simply upload the file to your account and any instructions can be added at the same time.
Q What if I have a tape, CD, video or DVD?
Pacific Solutions can transcribe your tapes, CDs, videos or DVDs. These items should be express posted or couriered to us.
Q What turnaround can Pacific Solutions provide on my transcripts?
We provide a standard turnaround of approximately 1 to 5 days depending on volume. We can also provide a next day, same day, overnight, weekend or public holiday service.
Q I have an urgent dictation. Can it be transcribed today?
Pacific Solutions offers an express service to clients who consistently require urgent turnaround. However, you can also request this service on a casual basis.
Q How are my transcripts returned?
We either email you the completed transcript as a Word document, or, for additional security, we can return the Word document via your password protected account.
Q What is the Pacific Solutions policy regarding confidentiality?
The Pacific Solutions Privacy Policy is compliant with the National Privacy Principles contained within the National Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and is available on request. We can also provide a separate confidentialty agreement if your organisation has specific requirements.
Q I can't see your rates on your website. Where do I find them?
Drop us an email, or call on 1300 662 173 so we can discuss your transcription category and provide a personalised quote.
Q Are there any costs in creating an account with Pacific Solutions?
There are no start up costs or registration fees in creating your client account.
Q Can I prepay my transcription charges for grant purposes?
Yes. Please contact us if you would like to arrange a prepayment for a project.
Q How do I apply as a transcriptionist with Pacific Solutions?
Please visit Typist Employment Enquiries to view our requirements and to submit your application.
Q Can you attend my premises for a meeting?
We can arrange for Pacific Solutions personnel to attend your business or workplace for typing, court reporting or recording. We can provide real-time court reporters / stenographers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Pricing and other locations available upon request.
Q Do you provide translation services?
We provide translation services for the following languages: French, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin which can be either simplified or traditional) or Japanese.
Q Can I hire or buy recording equipment from Pacific Solutions?
For recording projects, we recommend hiring Olympus Professional Recorders from Pacific Solutions for $95 per month or $65 per fortnight, plus a $15 handling charge per recorder. Recorders can also be purchased.
Q I will be using a qualitative analysis software package such as NVivo, ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA or Leximancer to analyse my transcripts. Do I need to ask Pacific Solutions for any special formatting to make my transcripts compatible?
Pacific Solutions can provide transcripts which are compatible with all versions of all major QDA software packages, including NVivo, ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA and Leximancer. Just let us know which package we are using, as well as the version if you are using NVivo or ATLAS.ti. We also offer special synchronised formatting for clients using ATLAS.ti v6 or Nvivo8, which will automatically synchronise the transcript with the audio or video recording when imported, allowing for easier coding. You can view our NVivo information sheet here. if you have any questions or would like more information.
Q How do you bill for transcription services?
Where typing of audio is charged per minute, round to the nearest minute. Where typing is charged per line, a line consists of 65 characters including spaces but not white space. This can be audited against the character count in MS word.
Q How am I invoiced?
Your invoice is itemised per file and sent to you by email. We kindly request payment within ten working days. Our preferred payment method is direct deposit or BPay. We also accept cheques payable to Pacific Solutions Pty Ltd (PO Box 745 QLD 4068) or payment by credit card.
Q Is GST or other tax payable on this service?
For Australian clients, a compliant Tax Invoice is provided and GST is payable. Overseas clients are exempt from GST and have the advantage of no tax being payable.
Q If I have more questions, what should I do?
Please feel free to call us on 07 3378 2668 or 1300 662 173 or email
Style
Pacific Transcription Solutions is able to cater to a number of style requirements for research and general transcripts...
Slightly edited
'Slightly edited' is our standard style and is preferred by over 95% of our clients. The slightly edited style contains a word for word transcript, but without repeated words, false starts and other verbal idiosyncrasies, improving ease of analysis and readability.
Here is an example of the slightly edited style:
Facilitator: The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.
Interviewee: Yes, and the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plains.
Strict verbatim
'Strict verbatim', sometimes referred to as orthographic transcription, is a word for word transcript, including ums, ahs, repeated words, false starts and other verbal idiosyncrasies.
Our strict verbatim style attracts a surcharge depending on your specific requirement. Please email enquiries to find out more.
Here is an example of the strict verbatim style:
Facilitator: Ah... The y'know, quick um, brown fox, y'know, jumped over the er, lazy dog.
Interviewee: Er, yeah, and um, the rain in like, [laughs] Spain falls mainly in the er, like, plains.
Conversational Analysis
Pacific Transcription Solutions is able to provide transcripts for conversational analysis. Conversational analysis builds upon the verbatim style, and includes non-verbal noises, as well as symbols denoting pauses, lapses in time and other non-verbal features. This style attracts a surcharge depending on your specific requirements. Please email enquiries to find out more.
Here is an example of a conversational analysis style:
Facilitator: Ah(...) // the y'know (..) quick um (..) brown (.) fox (...) y'know (...) (sigh) jumped over the er (..) lazy dog.
Interviewee: Er (..) yeah (.) and um (..) the rain in like (..) [laughs] (.) (^) Spain falls mainly in the er (...) like (..) plains.