You have speech analysis tools, but how do you know if you’re using them to their full potential?

1 Define your research question

Before you start using any speech analysis tool, you need to have a clear and specific research question that guides your analysis. Your research question should be relevant to your field of interest, feasible to answer with the data and tools available, and original enough to contribute to the existing literature. A good research question will help you narrow down your focus, choose the right tool, and interpret the results.

2 Choose the right tool

There are many speech analysis tools available, each with different features and functions. Some tools are general-purpose, such as Praat, Audacity, or ELAN, which allow you to perform various tasks such as recording, editing, annotating, and measuring speech. Other tools are more specialized, such as AntConc, LIWC, or SPPAS, which focus on specific aspects of speech such as frequency, sentiment, or prosody. Depending on your research question, you need to select the tool that best suits your data and purpose. You also need to consider the compatibility, usability, and reliability of the tool.

3 Prepare your data

Before you can use any speech analysis tool, you need to prepare your data properly. This may involve converting your files to the right format, segmenting your data into smaller units, transcribing your data accurately, and coding your data consistently. You may also need to pre-process your data to remove noise, normalize volume, or align speech and text. Preparing your data will ensure that your analysis is accurate and efficient.

4 Apply your tool

Once you have prepared your data, you can apply your speech analysis tool to perform the analysis you want. Depending on the tool, this may involve importing your data, setting the parameters, running the commands, or generating the outputs. You may need to consult the documentation, tutorials, or forums of the tool to learn how to use it effectively. You may also need to experiment with different settings or options to optimize your results.

5 Evaluate your results

After you have applied your speech analysis tool, you need to evaluate your results critically. You need to check if the results are valid, reliable, and relevant to your research question. You also need to interpret the results in relation to the context, theory, and literature of your field. You may need to use other tools or methods to complement or validate your results. You may also need to revise your research question, data, or tool if the results are unexpected or inconclusive.

6 Communicate your findings

The final step of using speech analysis tools is to communicate your findings effectively. You need to present your results in a clear and concise way, using appropriate formats, such as tables, graphs, or charts. You also need to explain your results in a coherent and logical way, using appropriate terminology, evidence, and arguments. You need to acknowledge the limitations, implications, and contributions of your analysis. You also need to cite the sources, tools, and data that you used in your analysis.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?