The output signal was then calibrated to translate measured voltage to radioactivity concentration.
Exploring potential sources of bias in translated measures represents a critical step in the translation-validation process, which until now has been largely underutilised.
Our translations were carefully done using the back-translation technique (Breslin 1970) for cross-cultural research, and the reliability of the translated measures was very similar to the reliability of the original English version.
Translating measures of diagnostic accuracy into clinical use is always a challenge.
In addition, regulators and technology assessors have focused their interest on the ability of the translated measures to express and investigate equivalent concepts across languages, as most PRO measures for global use are developed in one language and subsequently translated for use in other countries and cultures (i.e., sequential approach) [6].
Having small sample sizes to date from most U.S. ethnic groups has limited the ability to conduct validity studies of the translated measures.
Thirdly, and more importantly, this finding confirms the value of investigating item discrepancies through early exploratory psychometric evaluations of translated measures prior to large-scale, psychometric testing.
We translated measures using dichotomous data to a SMD using conventional methods [ 26], and pooled analyses using random effects models where we judged there were more than 2 studies of sufficient similarity to make the results interpretable.
Whilst a rigorous multi-step approach to translation is endorsed [ 3, 4], there are no clear recommendations about the early assessment of reliability and validity of translated measures before large-scale testing.
While the use of translated measures and interpreters represents a compromise in terms of demonstrated reliability and validity of some of the measures used in this study, it will mean that most refugee clinic attendees will be in a position to take part in the study, substantially increasing the representativeness of the sample.
