GESIS: Introduction to questionnaire translation (07.-08.10.2013)

Instructors: Dr. Dorothée Behr, Dipl.-Übers. Dipl.-IFS Brita Dohrer

Date: 07. – 08. October 2013

This workshop provides an introduction to questionnaire translation in cross-national or cross-cultural survey projects. To begin with, important aspects of source questionnaire development will be dealt with since the quality of translations very much depends on how the source questionnaire has been conceived. Then, we will focus on the do’s and don’ts of actual translation. Based on examples and hands-on practice we will look in particular into different linguistic and text type-specific dimensions that need to be heeded as well as potential error sources in questionnaire translation. The final part of the workshop is dedicated to procedural aspects of questionnaire translation (which translation and assessment methods should be employed, and which kind of people should be involved). Here, the so-called “team approach” will receive particular attention.

The target group of the workshop includes all those who are interested in questionnaire translation, and especially those who work in cross-national or cross-cultural projects, who contribute to questionnaire development and translation, or who need to manage the process of questionnaire translation. Furthermore, potential applicants of research grants regarding international survey projects may find the workshop useful since they will gain an increased understanding on how to adequately allocate financial, temporal and staff resources to questionnaire development and translation.

Depending on the languages of the participants, the workshop will be held either in English or in German.

Learning objectives

Awareness of the importance of good source questionnaire design for the quality of questionnaire translations; awareness of the challenges of questionnaire translation; well-informed approaches towards cross-cultural studies and their translations.

Course entrance requirements

Knowledge of at least one language besides English to be able to benefit from the practice sessions.

Further information