•TranscribeFast Team

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

A simple, student-first plan to go from idea → interviews → themes → write-up in 2–4 weeks. Includes weekly goals, time estimates, and a printable checklist.

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.