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How To Translate and Validate A Scale

This document outlines the steps to translate and validate a scale from one language to another. The translation process involves forward translation by two independent translators, backward translation by two other translators of the merged version, review by an expert committee, and pretesting on a small sample. Once translated, data is collected using the translated scale and other relevant measures. Validity is assessed using another validated scale measuring similar constructs, through factor analysis. Reliability is also assessed through test-retest reliability over 2-3 weeks and measuring internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha. Statistical analysis, such as factor analysis, plays an important role in validation.

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Faisal Al Mutaawa
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252 views

How To Translate and Validate A Scale

This document outlines the steps to translate and validate a scale from one language to another. The translation process involves forward translation by two independent translators, backward translation by two other translators of the merged version, review by an expert committee, and pretesting on a small sample. Once translated, data is collected using the translated scale and other relevant measures. Validity is assessed using another validated scale measuring similar constructs, through factor analysis. Reliability is also assessed through test-retest reliability over 2-3 weeks and measuring internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha. Statistical analysis, such as factor analysis, plays an important role in validation.

Uploaded by

Faisal Al Mutaawa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to translate and validate a scale?

Steps:

First step: Translation

Translation is a process that contain many steps by itself:


A. Firstly, forward translation: means you will take the scale in its original language ( e.g.
English) and translate it into your language ( e.g. Arabic). The translation will be by two
independent translators -native Arabic speakers- (one of them should have no medical
background while the other one has). Then there should be a meeting between these
two translators to agree in a merged version of the two translations
B. Secondly, backward translation: means the merged version (Arabic) of the first step
should be given to two independent English native speakers that can speak Arabic and
translate the merged version back to English (2 translations each one of them will do
one). (Note: these two translators should not know about the original version of the
scale)
C. Thirdly, expert committee review: consist of at least 6 experts some of them should be in
the field of the research (for our scale, there should be some neurologists). This
committee review the final merged version and produce the pre-final version
D. Pretesting: pre-pilot study means the pre-final version is given to a small number of the
sample (usually 15 persons) and they comment on the items of the translated scale.
Then the scale should be modified based on there comments if necessary.
E. Finally your scale is ready for validation.

Second step: collect the data


The data is your scale and any other factors you want to add as well as another validated scale
for the validity step (discussed later in the validity step).

Third step: Validation


Validity of scale can be checked by administering another validated scale that has a similar
purpose and a similar population as your scale.
And can be assessed by statistical analysis called (Factor Analysis)

Fourth step: Reliability


Can be assessed at the same time with validity. Has more than one types:

1- Test-retest reliability: means administering your scale again after a period of time (usually 2-3
weeks) to see if the patients will answer differently or not (is it reliable?)

2- Internal consistency: measured by statistical analysis called (Cronbach alpha)


‫اللي مظلل باللون األخضر عبارة عن تحليل احصائي ما أعرف له مرة لكن هو مهم جدا بالعادة راح نحتاج محلل يشارك معنا بالبحث‬
‫ويمسك التحليل‬

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