Translating a questionnaire into a different language should follow a number of steps to ensure that it maintains its intended performance in the new language and culture.
Recommended steps:
(1) translation by at least 2 translators working independently into the new language (forward translation)
(2) consensus meeting between the coordinator and the forward translators
(3) evaluation of the translation by an expert in the field who is bilingual and who verifies the correctness of the wording
(4) translation from the new language back into the original (backward translation)
(5) consensus meeting between the coordinator and the backward translators
(6) trial run of the translated instrument with a few subjects who are then asked about the instrument (cognitive debriefing)
where:
• A successful translation requires selection of the appropriate dialect for the target population.
• The backward translation is compared to the original. Ideally it should show similar wording.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
