Folder

JAN

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Translation of scales in cross-cultural research: issues and techniques
Eun-Seok Cha, Kevin H. Kim & Judith A. Erlen
Accepted for publication 10 January 2007

Eun-Seok Cha MPH PhD RN Instructor Chung-Ang University School of Medicine, Department of Nursing, Seoul, South Korea Kevin H. Kim PhD Assistant Professor, Statistician University of Pittsburgh School of Education, Department of Psychology in Education, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Judith A. Erlen PhD RN FAAN Professor and Doctoral Program Coordinator University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Department of Health Promotion & Development, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Correspondence to Eun-Seok Cha: e-mail: [e-mail]

C H A E . - S . , K I M K . H . & E R L E N J . A . ( 2 0 0 7 ) Translation of scales in cross-cultural research: issues and techniques Journal of Advanced Nursing 58(4), 386–395 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04242.x

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