Re: Digital Voice Recorder Gh 518 User Zip
Nichole Wernett
This is a single sheet of paper with a note of the 7 key topics I'm hoping to explore in my research sessions. I draw it as a map rather than as a list because that encourages me to approach the session non-linearly. I rarely cover all 7 topics with every participant but a quick glance at the topic map keeps me grounded. I never use a discussion guide or a list of questions: this creates too much structure and prevents me from discovering what I don't know I don't know.
This is my field visit Swiss Army knife. I use it to find my way to the participant's location, for calling the participant if I'm lost or running late, and also for taking photographs of the participant's context. I also use my phone for photography in preference to a dedicated camera because it's less obtrusive than a DSLR with a 24-70mm lens. And it's invaluable for those short video clips, for example to understand a particularly convoluted workflow.
Good audio is critical for reviewing the findings from a session. At a pinch, you could use your phone (although that prevents you from using your phone for anything else, like photos or video). But the audio quality from a dedicated voice recorder beats what you'll get from your phone, especially when you're recording in a noisy environment. This is because dedicated voice recorders have twin, directional microphones. I use an Olympus LS-10. It's a bit outdated nowadays but still makes DAB-quality audio recordings. As well as using this to record the sessions, I also use it immediately after the session to summarise the stand-out observations, dictaphone style. This allows me to cover more information, more quickly than if I restrict myself to a written summary.
I like to keep the admin simple but one form is always mandatory: the form for informed consent. This tells the participant how I'll use their data and makes it clear that their participation is voluntary. If I'm showing the participant an unreleased product (rare in a site visit, but always a possibility), I may also need a non-disclosure form (NDA). I hate asking participants to sign these as they've been drafted by lawyers, but sometimes the client won't authorise the research without one. Finally, I usually have an incentive form. This is for my accountant: it's simply a receipt that the participant signs to say they received money from me.
I nearly always give a participant money for their time. Some situations may require a more culturally-appropriate gift, such as a gift token or chocolate. With cash, I make sure the money is bagged up in an envelope before I meet the participant. This is more discrete than getting out a wedge of cash. Incidentally, I give the incentive to the participant at the beginning of the session, even before they've signed the consent form.
If I'm moderating the session, I rarely take extensive notes because I want to concentrate on the participant. Instead, I prefer to have a notetaker with me (often from the development team). So to be honest, the notebook and pen are a little bit of UX research theatre. Nevertheless, I do take some notes. I like to use a good fountain pen: I find that if my handwriting looks nice, I take more notes.
I don't always use these but I like to have them with me when I want to understand a workflow or a user journey. I'll ask the user to write each step on a sticky note. I'll then photograph the map before dismantling it and putting it in my bag.
I never use this during the session itself but for afterwards, normally when I'm sitting in the car or in a local coffee shop. I copy the audio files from the voice recorder and then erase the originals. This is because my laptop is secure (password protected) whereas the voice recorder isn't.
I hand this to the participant at the beginning of the session along with a copy of the consent form so that they can contact me afterwards if they have any questions. It also helps emphasise that I'm independent of the sponsoring organisation.
Thanks to the following UX researchers for their suggestions: Jennifer Adam, Nick Bowmast, David Hamill, Nicola Hancock, Agnes Kiss, Brge Kristensen, Moira Mastrone, Stephanie Pratt, Leonie Tame, Alessandra Viero.
Although asking users what they want from a new product or service sounds like a good idea, it's deeply flawed. In most cases users don't know, don't care or can't articulate what they need. Discover an alternative way of uncovering user needs. About the author Dr. David Travis (@userfocus) has been carrying out ethnographic field research and running product usability tests since 1989. He has published three books on user experience including Think Like a UX Researcher. If you like his articles, you might enjoy his free online user experience course.
Dr. David Travis (@userfocus) has been carrying out ethnographic field research and running product usability tests since 1989. He has published three books on user experience including Think Like a UX Researcher.
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Recording and dictation allow you to increase your productivity and efficiency, saving you time and money. Whether for business or personal use, make sure every word is recorded with your digital voice recorder. Optimized for notes, conversations, lectures, music, meetings and professional dictation & transcription, you will find a Philips recorder that meets your requirements. Digital Voice recorders are used for the following applications:
Meetings, conferences, and judicial proceedings all benefit from the use of a recording device. Law enforcement officials have the ability to take statements, quickly and effectively, without losing valuable time or valuable information. A range of business uses include recording meetings and conferences for access to valuable data at a later date.
Most writers would agree that when an idea strikes, it needs to be recorded or it could be lost forever. Far better than searching for some scribbled notes on the back of an envelope, a Philips digital voice recording of notes, edits, and ideas is always found in the same place and can be easily uploaded to your notebook PC and played back for later writing projects.
Students use the voice recorders designed specifically for lectures to keep a recording for future use. These devices have a directional microphone designed specifically for recording from a distance while cutting out ambient noise.
For individuals who may be visually impaired, a digital voice recorder can be a very beneficial tool. With simple instruction, a visually impaired person can easily use a digital recorder for a variety of personal or professional uses that are made difficult without the use of sight.
Of course there are many more people who can benefit from using a digital voice recorder. Speech processing has advanced to make your life far more productive, conveniently saving you time in your busy schedule.
When I first started doing interviews to write articles and stories I did try using recorders but found them to be clunky and not user friendly for me. Times have changed. New recording devices are now user friendly, even sleek for a decent price. As mentioned before, a recording device is more necessary for my work now, so I set out to find the one best for me. Hence, a series of product reviews. For me, I need something simple. I want to use my time to do the interviewing and the writing and not worrying about my recording device. After trying a lot of options, this continues to be my standby.
Disclaimer: This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which means we make a small commission. Just know that these are the products we use every day in our professional work, and have done so for years.
But the very best thing about this recorder? The USB is connected to the recorder! No extra cords needed! I can hook the device directly to my computer for easy transfer of information as well. It comes with a USB cord if needed too. Note that some less expensive models (even of good brands) do not come with a USB connection port, so that can account for price differences. When I am doing an oral history interview for a client, right after the interview I can upload the content right to my computer and to their thumb drive, easy peasy. It has always been seamless. The only issue I have ever had is when I switched batteries and failed to update the date. I thought my files were lost, but the date was just wrong. So always remember to update the date and time when batteries are replaced.
For the best, most intimate sound, be sure to use the Olympus WS-852 with a lavalier (lapel) microphone. This will capture high-quality audio of your subject for use with video, or just so it sounds like your subject is right there, decades later. A microphone will also help get the crispest audio for running through a speech recognition transcription programs later.
The H2 Handy Recorder is a handheld digital audio recorder from Zoom first announced at the NAMM Show in February 2007. It records very high quality digital stereo or 4-channel audio on a hand-held unit, and has been called "the studio on a stick." Included in the retail box are an SD card, desk stand, handle for putting the H2 in a microphone stand, wind screen, 3.5mm TRS to RCA cable, earbud headphones, USB cable and power adapter. The H2's microphones, functionality, and use of standard USB ...
The H4 Handy Recorder is a handheld digital audio recorder from Zoom, featuring built-in condenser microphones in an X-Y stereo pattern, priced from around US$280 depending upon memory capacity as of 2011[update]. Recordings are stored on an SD card (128 MB supplied), or via a USB cable to a computer running digital audio workstation software (Cubase LE supplied). The H4 can record in stereo or four-track mode. In stereo mode WAV or compressed (MP3) files may be made. A 2GB card will store 95 h...
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