Translation of scales in cross‐cultural research: issues and techniques

Abstract

Title. Translation of scales in cross-cultural research: issues and techniques Aims. This paper is a report of a study designed to: (i) describe issues and techniques of translation of standard measures for use in international research; (ii) identify a user-friendly and valid translation method when researchers have limited resources during translation procedure; and (iii) discuss translation issues using data from a pilot study as an example. Background. The process of translation is an important part of cross-cultural studies. Cross-cultural researchers are often confronted by the need to translate scales from one language to another and to do this with limited resources. Method. The lessons learned from our experience in a pilot study are presented to underline the importance of using appropriate translation procedures. The issues of the back-translation method are discussed to identify strategies to ensure success when translating measures. Findings. A combined technique is an appropriate method to maintain the content equivalences between the original and translated instruments in international research. There are several possible combinations of translation techniques. However, there is no gold standard of translation techniques because the research environment (e.g. accessibility and availability of bilingual people) and the research questions are different. Conclusions. It is important to use appropriate translation procedures and to employ a combined translation technique based on the research environment and questions.

Fulfilment of knowledge expectations and emotional state among people undergoing hip replacement: A multi-national survey

“…The instruments, KEhp, RKhp and the self-reported scales for symptoms and emotions have been developed and used in Finland, and content validity and reliability has been tested in a Finnish context (Heikkinen et al, 2012, Leino-Kilpi et al, 1998, Leino-Kilpi et al, 1999. Even though the Nordic countries have a similar cultural context and comparable health care, there may have been some difficulties in the translation and cultural validation (Cha et al, 2007). There might for (Beckstead, 2013, Tavakol andDennick, 2011).…”

Adaptação cultural e validação dos construtos: serviço logístico, satisfação e lealdade

“…Esta fase foi conduzida de acordo com os métodos preconizados na literatura por Cha, Kim e Erlen (2007). A tradução do instrumento do inglês para o português foi realizada de forma trocas.…”

Escala de Vitalidade Subjetiva - EVS: evidências de sua adequação psicométrica

“…O participante precisa indicar o quanto é verdadeiro o que o item expressa acerca de como está se sentido atualmente. Considerando as principais técnicas para tradução de escalas (Cha, Kim & Erlen, 2007), optou-se por tradutores bilíngües. Neste caso, dois psicólogos brasileiros com vivências nos Estados Unidos e Inglaterra efetuaram traduções independentes.…”