Transcribing Causality
Samuel Lucas, Professor
Sociology
Applications for Spring 2024 are closed for this project.
Sociologists have differing, even contradictory views of causality. From May 2019 to July 2021 we interviewed several influential ethnographers, qualitative interviewers, statistical researchers, comparative historical analysts, and philosophers about causality. On this project we will proofread the transcripts, add emotion markers, and during a weekly project meeting discuss their perspectives on causality. Thus, practically speaking, the project title is a bit of a misnomer because the interviews have already been transcribed with about 95% accuracy. However, intellectually speaking, the project title is spot-on, for our aim is to write into awareness the complex, often unrecognized ramifications of disparate postures on causality. To accomplish this aim we will engage the far less tedious tasks of correcting typographical errors, adding emotion markers as instructed, and critically considering the causal perspectives conveyed in each interview. Ultimately, this project will produce a book on views of causality. I seek 4 Research Apprentices for this position.
Benefits Research Apprentices will gain include the following:
–Transcription experience
–Exposure to complex ways scholars think about, study, and establish causality
–Exposure to dominant and alternative perspectives on causality
–For those who successfully complete the apprenticeship, listing in the book as a Research Assistant.
–Experience using the software package for project work
Role: Tasks: Each week apprentices will:
1–Edit approximately 1/4 of an interview
1.1–To edit, first read the transcript while listening to the recording of the entire interview, noting any questions you may have
1.2–Next, listen to the section of the interview assigned
1.2.1–Correct typographical and spelling errors in the transcript
1.2.2–Add the emotion markers (e.g., for smiles, laughter) as instructed
NOTE: Editing can take 4 or 5 times as long as the audio recording, which is why each research apprentice will edit about 30 minutes of material per week.
2–Upload the completed edit to the project Google drive by 11:59pm on the Monday before the Wednesday project meeting.
3–Attend the Wednesday, noon-2 p.m., project meeting and be prepared to discuss:
3.1–Any questions or confusions in the transcription
3.2–The interviewee’s views of causality
Meetings: During the Spring semester meetings will be Wednesday, noon-2 pm, over zoom or hybrid. During meetings we will go over questions with the editing just completed, discuss the scholar’s position, and introduce the next interview for editing.
Time: Each week it should take approximately 1.5 hours for first listen/read through of the entire interview; 3 hours for editing the approximately 30 minute excerpt of the interview (less as you gain experience); plus 2 hours of project meeting. Total approximately 6.5-8 hours a week.
Qualifications: Required:
–Excellent editing skills, including a comprehensive understanding of English grammar and punctuation
–A Windows computer that can run the software we provide
–Comfort learning and using the provided software package
Desired:
–An interest in social theory and/or research methods
NOTE: In your application please state what theorists and/or methods you find interesting or compelling, why, and how you learned about those theorists and/or methods.
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: Spring project meetings will be hybrid or via zoom. All other project work can be done anywhere the Research Apprentice has a computer.
Related website: https://www.samuelroundfieldlucas.com
Social Sciences Engineering, Design & Technologies