Lost in translation

Abstract

In this paper under-researched methodological issues in information systems research of multilingual interview data collection and translation using translators explored. Observations field notes were collected during the study of the role of ICT for poverty reduction using Participatory Budgeting (PB) in Brazil. A systematic literature search conducted to find the methods used for collecting qualitative data in information systems research from 2010 to 2021. The identified research gap in data collecting and translating presented. Reflexive method used to analyse the researchers’ observations field notes. The findings of the research recommended data collecting and data translation framework: single back-translation for data validity and accuracy. The work also presented the key elements of qualitative data collection, timing, follow-up questions, and interpretation. We recommend researchers to make available the data collecting instruments and collected data in the original and target languages to provide transparency, data validity, and provides data access for future research.

An information literacy lens on community representation for participatory budgeting in Brazil

“…In this paper, the first evaluation is presented of the factors shaping the use and impact of IL on community representatives in the context of participatory budgeting in São Paulo City, Brazil (henceforth referred to as São Paulo). This research was carried out as part of a wider study in January 2019, which addressed the role of information systems in the low participation of the very poor in democratic processes in Brazil, and the inequalities that result from this (Demeke & Ryan, 2021).…”

“…of participants http://dx.doi.org/10.11645/17.2.5 Multilingual, transnational research is an area of growing importance, with funders such as the UK Government's Global Challenges Research Fund 1 encouraging knowledge exchange between the UK and developing countries. Research such as this, working across languages and cultures, requires special consideration by researchers of translation of questions and responses between the research language and the participants' language(Abfalter et al, 2021;Demeke & Ryan, 2021;Pinto da Costa, 2021;Temple & Young…”