A pragmatic approach ensuring accuracy in language translation in tuberculosis research

BackgroundTo research patient perceptions of medicines and illness in a multicultural setting, it is appropriate to translate research materials. However, the translation procedures should be valid and reliable to assure accuracy.ObjectivesTo translate into 3 languages—Turkish, Urdu, and Bengali—a research questionnaire investigating illness and medicines perceptions of tuberculosis patients and to validate the translation.MethodsA 4-stage protocol for the translation and validation of research questionnaires investigating illness and medicines perceptions was designed and implemented. This involved forward and back-translation, group-validation, and post hoc conceptual equivalence rating in 3 different languages.ResultsThe translation protocol was found to be very useful in identifying discrepancies between original and translated versions; a total of 83 amendments were required. Post hoc evaluations also demonstrated improvements for 2 of the 3 language translations. Some redundancy was apparent and an improved protocol was suggested by the authors.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that including a protocol for translation and validation of the translation is crucial to assure accuracy in multicultural research.