Preparing Instruments for Transcultural Research: Use of the Translation Monitoring Form with Nepali-Speaking Bhutanese Refugees

Preparing instruments for transcultural research is a difficult task. Researchers typically do not publish their attempts to create equivalent translation. The quality of the translation depends mostly on the translators’ ability to be consistent in identifying and correcting incomprehensible, unacceptable, incomplete and irrelevant translated items. This paper presents a translation monitoring form to enhance the methodical preparation of instruments for transcultural use. Use of the form requires the systematic use of strategies advocated by previous translation and adaptation researchers. A detailed example of use of the translation monitoring form with Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees illustrates the usefulness of the form as well as the difficulties of creating equivalent translation.