Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation: A Critical Step in Multi-National Survey Studies

Abstract

Survey studies are valuable tools that can quickly and cost-effectively collect data from diverse populations across different cultures and locations. When conducted across multiple countries, careful translation and cross-cultural adaptation are necessary to maintain the validity and reliability of the findings. This point is particularly important for patient-facing questionnaires, especially in fields like psychology and sexual medicine. Translation to other languages also helps the researchers reach a more diverse and broader sample, which enables the generalizability of the findings/conclusions. An accurate translation would ensure higher response rates. Careful and rigorous selection of translators, following a translation guideline, ensuring sufficient time for the translation process, using a checklist, and quality assessment following translation can increase the accuracy of the translation. At each step, the specific field of the questionnaire should be taken in consideration. The objective of this article is to underscore the necessity of translation and cross-cultural adaptation in survey studies, as well as to discuss the methods to combat against challenges experienced in the translation process.