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USER'S GUIDE TO COMPUTER-AIDED TRANSCRIPTION

NCJ Number
39125
Author(s)
J M GREENWOOD; J R TOLLAR
Date Published
1978
Length
76 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DISCUSSES THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECT OF COMPUTER-AIDED TRANSCRIPTION (CAT) IN THE PHILADELPHIA COURT OF COMMON PLEAS AND SEVERAL OTHER COURT FACILITIES.
Abstract
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY WERE TO DESCRIBE FULLY AND ANALYZE THE BASIC PROCESS OF COMPUTER-AIDED TRANSCRIPTION, TO DOCUMENT AND ASSESS THE TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING COMPUTER-AIDED TRANSCRIPTION IN THE COURTS, AND TO ASSIST COURTS AND COURT REPORTERS TO BETTER DESIGN, SELECT, IMPLEMENT, MANAGE, AND ASSESS COMPUTER-AIDED TRANSCRIPTION PRODUCTION SYSTEMS. THE PHILADELPHIA CAT OPERATION WAS THE PRINCIPAL EVALUATION COMPONENT IN THE PROJECT. EXTENSIVE DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES WERE INSTITUTED TO CONTINUALLY ASSESS REPORTERS USING CAT OR TRADITIONAL TRANSCRIPTION METHODS, BOTH BEFORE AND DURING THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT CAT CAN INCREASE TRANSCRIPT PRODUCTION WHILE DECREASING DELAYS, IS ECONOMICALLY COMPETITIVE WITH TRADITIONAL METHODS, AND PERMITS BETTER UTILIZATION OF COURT REPORTERS. PROPOSED TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STANDARDS AND POLICIES TO INCREASE THE PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS FOR FUTURE COMPUTER-AIDED TRANSCRIPTION INSTALLATIONS ARE ALSO INCLUDED TO FACILITATE IMPLEMENTATION OF CAT ELSEWHERE. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME MANUFACTURERS OFFERING CAT SERVICES, SELECTED PROJECT OVERVIEWS, AND SAMPLE REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)