Multilingual Research: Reflections on Translating Qualitative Data

Abstract The objective of this article is to examine translation dilemmas in cross-cultural qualitative research projects. In particular, I reflect on my experiences of conducting cross-language qualitative research and I examine how the translation techniques I have employed over the years shape the collection and interpretation of non-English to English qualitative data. Centred on the question ‘What aspects of participants’ representation are lost or foreclosed in this act, process and outcome of translating and how can this be mitigated?’, I discuss how the following coalesce to inform how this complex and multidimensional question is addressed: (i) the competencies, processes and outcomes of translating, (ii) the importance of situating data in its social context and (iii) how this shapes the representation of data. As well, this article discusses the implication of cross-cultural and cross-language studies on social work and presents three lessons learned from my experiences.

Download Full-text

Structuring a Team-Based Approach to Coding Qualitative Data

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/1609406920968700 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 160940692096870

Author(s):

Lindsay Giesen ◽

Allison Roeser

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Reference Materials ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Research Process ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Analysis Software ◽

Management Structure ◽

Qualitative Data Analysis Software ◽

Supportive Management

Improvements to qualitative data analysis software (QDAS) have both facilitated and complicated the qualitative research process. This technology allows us to work with a greater volume of data than ever before, but the increased volume of data frequently requires a large team to process and code. This paper presents insights on how to successfully structure and manage a team of staff in coding qualitative data. We draw on our experience in team-based coding of 154 interview transcripts for a study of school meal programs. The team consisted of four coders, three senior reviewers, and a lead analyst and external qualitative methodologist who shepherded the coding process together. Lessons learned from this study include: 1) establish a strong and supportive management structure; 2) build skills gradually by breaking training and coding into “bite-sized” pieces; and 3) develop detailed reference materials to guide your coding team.

Download Full-text

Data Collection via In-Depth Email Interviewing: Lessons From the Field

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/1049732316689067 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (10) ◽

pp. 1640-1649 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Roschelle L. Fritz ◽

Roxanne Vandermause

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Data Collection ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Quality Data ◽

Qualitative Descriptive

This methods article is a reflection on the use of in-depth email interviewing in a qualitative descriptive study. The use of emailing to conduct interviews is thought to be an effective way to collect qualitative data. Building on current methodological literature in qualitative research regarding in-depth email interviewing, we move the conversation toward elicitation of quality data and management of multiple concurrent email interviews. Excerpts are shared from a field journal that was kept throughout one study, with commentary on developing insights. Valuable lessons learned include the importance of (a) logistics and timing related to the management of multiple concurrent email interviews, (b) language and eliciting the data, (c) constructing the email, and (d) processing text-based data and preparing transcripts. Qualitative researchers seeking deeply reflective answers and geographically diverse samples may wish to consider using in-depth email interviews.

Download Full-text

Translation Barriers in Conducting Qualitative Research With Spanish Speakers

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/1049732308325857 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 1729-1737 ◽

Cited By ~ 110

Author(s):

Griselda I. Lopez ◽

Maria Figueroa ◽

Sarah E. Connor ◽

Sally L. Maliski

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Study Data ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Spanish Speakers ◽

Prostate Cancer Treatment ◽

True Meaning ◽

Conducting Research ◽

Valid Information

Cross-cultural qualitative research is rare and challenging because of difficulties of collecting reliable and valid information when conducting research in a language other than the researcher's primary language. Although standards of rigor exist for the data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of qualitative data, no such standards exist for translation of translinguistic qualitative research. Therefore, a new methodology modeled after Brislin's translation principles was utilized with 60 Latino participants experiencing side effects as a result of prostate cancer treatment. Interviews were conducted in Spanish, transcribed verbatim, and then translated by research staff. By adapting Brislin's process, a new methodology was developed that more accurately conveys the true meaning of the participant's experience, is more appropriate and meaningful, and opens doors to researchers interested in conducting research in a language other than their own, while at the same time ensuring the reliability and validity of study data.

Download Full-text

Developing Culturally Competent Health Knowledge: Issues of Data Analysis of Cross-Cultural, Cross-Language Qualitative Research

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/160940690400300402 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 16-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Jenny Hsin-Chun Tsai ◽

John H. Choe ◽

Jeanette Mu Chen Lim ◽

Elizabeth Acorda ◽

Nadine L. Chan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Culturally Competent ◽

Cross Language

Download Full-text

Interpreters/Translators and Cross-Language Research: Reflexivity and Border Crossings

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/160940690200100201 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 149

Author(s):

Bogusia Temple ◽

Rosalind Edwards

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Identity Politics ◽

Border Crossing ◽

Border Crossings ◽

Research Projects ◽

Language Research ◽

Cross Language

In this article, the authors examine the implications of extending calls for reflexivity in qualitative research generally to cross-language research with interpreters. Drawing on the concept of ‘borders’, they present two research projects to demonstrate the need to locate the interpreter as active in producing research accounts. They extend the concept of ‘border crossing’, relating this to identity politics and the benefits of making the interpreter visible in research.

Download Full-text

Quantifying Thematic Saturation in Qualitative Data Analysis

Field Methods ◽

10.1177/1525822x17749386 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 191-207 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Andrew Lowe ◽

Anthony C. Norris ◽

A. Jane Farris ◽

Duncan R. Babbage

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Statistical Model ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Quantitative Approach ◽

Data Sets ◽

Research Projects ◽

Proposed Model ◽

Research Questions

An important aspect of qualitative research is reaching saturation—loosely, a point at which observing more data will not lead to discovery of more information related to the research questions. However, there has been no validated means of objectively establishing saturation. This article proposes a novel quantitative approach to measuring thematic saturation based on a sound statistical model. The model is validated on two data sets from different qualitative research projects involving interviews, focus groups, and literature surveys. The proposed model provides consistent estimates of saturation across data sets, within branches of data sets, and over the course of a research project. The model can be used for both quantifying saturation and estimating the number of observations required to achieve a specified level of saturation.

Download Full-text

TRANSLATION AS MENTAL INTERPRETATION ACTIVITY IN LINGUISTICS AND LITERATURE

Naukovy Visnyk of South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K D Ushynsky Linguistic Sciences ◽

10.24195/2616-5317-2019-28-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (28) ◽

pp. 43-53

Author(s):

Svitlana Gruschko

Keyword(s):

Literary Criticism ◽

Literary Work ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Literary Translation ◽

Literary Texts ◽

Cultural Dimension ◽

Cultural Communication ◽

Original Text ◽

Cross Cultural Communication ◽

Cross Language

In the article the phenomenon of translation is regarded as mental interpretation activity not only in linguistics, but also in literary criticism. The literary work and its translation are most vivid guides to mental and cultural life of people, an example of intercultural communication. An adequate perception of non-native culture depends on communicators’ general fund of knowledge. The essential part of such fund of knowledge is native language, and translation, being a mediator, is a means of cross-language and cross-cultural communication. Mastering another language through literature, a person is mastering new world and its culture. The process of literary texts’ translation requires language creativity of the translator, who becomes so-called “co-author” of the work. Translation activity is a result of the interpreter’s creativity and a sort of language activity: language units are being selected according to language units of the original text. This kind of approach actualizes linguistic researching of real translation facts: balance between language and speech units of the translated work (i.e. translationinterpretation, author’s made-up words, or revised language peculiarities of the characters). The process of literary translation by itself should be considered within the dimension of a dialogue between cultures. Such a dialogue takes place in the frame of different national stereotypes of thinking and communicational behavior, which influences mutual understanding between the communicators with the help of literary work being a mediator. So, modern linguistics actualizes the research of language activities during the process of literary work’s creating. This problem has to be studied furthermore, it can be considered as one of the central ones to be under consideration while dealing with cultural dimension of the translation process, including the process of solving the problems of cross-cultural communication.

Download Full-text

Classroom Observation for the Professional Development of Myanmar University Lecturers in a Singapore Cross-Cultural Context: Perception of Abilities and Learning Based on ‘Nine Events of Instruction’

European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research ◽

10.2478/ejser-2018-0032 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 40-49

Author(s):

Siew Hong Lam

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Classroom Observation ◽

Continuing Professional Development ◽

Educational Background ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Potential Applicability ◽

Pedagogical Framework ◽

Events Of Instruction

Abstract Continuing professional development is important for improving and reforming teaching.Classroom observation of others’ teaching has been used for the professional development of eight lecturers from three Myanmar universities who visited the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore over a period of three weeks.To bridge the socio-cultural and educational background differences, Gagné’s ‘Nine events of instruction’ was used as a pedagogical framework to guide and evaluate the classroom observation and learning as it is well-established for instructional design and resonate well with educators.This study aimed to evaluate the participants’ abilities and their learning through classroom observation based on their perceptions of the ‘nine events of instruction’.The study found that most of the participants have positive views of their abilities in relation to the ‘nine events’, especially in practicing the early events of instruction. The classroom observation has benefitted them with respect to the ‘nine events’, particularly ‘Informing the Students of the Objective/Outcome’, ‘Stimulating Recall of the Prior Knowledge’ and ‘Presenting Information/Content/Stimulus’.Notably, ‘Assessing Performance’ was the most perceived ‘event of instruction’ that the participants wanted to improve on and that the participants perceived will benefit Myanmar lecturers the most.Qualitative feedbacks by the participants revealed lessons learned, their potential applicability and desires to reform and share.The study further demonstrated that the ‘nine events of instruction’ is a useful pedagogical framework for guiding and evaluating perception of abilities and learning in classroom instruction and observation for continuing professional development in a cross-cultural context.

Download Full-text