C-QUAL - A SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER-AIDED TRANSCRIPTION OF VIDEOTAPED ACTION SEQUENCES

C-QUAL is a system for the computer-aided transcription of action sequences from videotape. The system is designed for research on face-to-face interaction focusing on sequences of action involving speech and body motion. When the analyst indicates the beginning or the ending of a specified action, C-QUAL associates that event with the frame number on which it was transcribed and enters the information in a database. In this manner, all transcribed actions are located sequentially with respect to each other to the accuracy of a single video frame. Entered data can be superimposed on the video image for checking and editing. By using the Sequel-Analysis Module, an innovative device for visually representing speech, C-QUAL permits speech transcription (including syllables, pauses, intonation, and paralanguage) to be fully integrated with body-motion transcription. The system supports the transcription of both speech and body motion in either tape direction or at any tape speed, including stop frame. © 1991 Psychonomic Society, Inc.