Library
Latest Articles Author Index Articles IndexCareers in Qual
Qual as a career choice A typical qual project Careers FAQResources
Glossary of terms Past, Present, Future Recruiter Accred (RAS)Quick Answers
Running Projects Running Groups Books and Reading ListHandy writing recognition apps
Quallies are more than familiar with hurriedly scribbling down fieldwork notes, only to be faced with a stack of paper the following day, and the mammoth job of typing the notes up. Coupled with the time pressure of report writing, this process often feels tedious andeven a little outdated. Thankfully, there are apps which can help.
Of the free handwriting recognition software available, Pen to Print is one of the highest rated. It aims to save you time, and eliminate this middle step, by converting handwritten notes into digital text. Simply photograph the pages, and the app does the rest, ideal after writing notes of in depth interviews.
Word of warning, the results arent always 100% accurate, and need reviewing. The clearer the writing, the better, bad news for those with messier handwriting. Its also worth noting that these kind of apps cope best with printed lettering so avoid cursive. That said, results can be good, especially when theyre free, with the potential to save some precious post-fieldwork time. Perhaps worth trying next time you need to type up notes?
Katie Laws
Insight Manager, Relish Research
This article was first published in InBrief magazine, January 2019
Copyright © Association for Qualitative Research, 2019
About the author

Katie Laws
Since graduating in 2017, Katie has worked for Relish Research, a qualitative and quantitative consultancy based in Leeds and London. Katie has a keen interest in the way technology is changing the face of research, from VR to passive metering.
AQR Member Profile
Katie Laws