2025-11-02 · TranscribeFast Team

Student Study Planner: 2–4 Week Timeline for Interview Projects

This planner helps you go from zero to finished interview assignment without panic. Use the 2‑week or 4‑week track depending on your deadline.

What you'll learn

  • A realistic weekly schedule for interviews
  • How to budget time for transcription and coding
  • A printable checklist so you don’t miss steps

2‑week fast track (tight deadline)

  1. Days 1–2: Define goal, make guide (5–7 Qs), pilot once.
  2. Days 3–5: Run 2–3 interviews (30–45 min each).
  3. Days 6–7: Transcribe, skim for quotes and early themes.
  4. Days 8–10: Code data (codes → categories → themes).
  5. Days 11–14: Draft results with 2–3 quotes per theme; revise.

4‑week standard track

  1. Week 1: Research goal, write/pilot guide, recruit participants.
  2. Week 2: Run interviews; start transcription after each session.
  3. Week 3: Finish transcription; begin open coding and memos.
  4. Week 4: Develop themes; draft report, add quotes, finalize.

Time estimates (per interview)

  • Interview: 30–60 minutes
  • Transcription: ~10–20 minutes (AI + quick edits)
  • First‑pass coding: 30–45 minutes
  • Select quotes + memo: 15–30 minutes

Coding flow (simple)

Codes → Categories → Themes

Example
  Codes: "no time to study", "late buses", "work shift"
  Category: Time barriers
  Theme: External schedules limit study consistency

Printable checklist

  • One‑line goal written
  • Guide drafted + piloted
  • Consent ready; storage plan set
  • Interviews scheduled
  • Transcripts exported with timestamps
  • Codes → categories → themes mapped
  • Quotes selected (2–3 per theme)
  • Draft written and revised

Common mistakes

  • Waiting to transcribe until the very end.
  • Too many questions; not enough depth.
  • No quotes saved with timestamps for the write‑up.