General Discussions

  • 1.  External Translators

    Posted 05-13-2021 07:43
    Good Morning Cayuse Community members,

    We are gearing up for the rush of summer IRB protocols that include international research. A question came up in our office and I am hoping to gain insight on how other institutions would handle this situation.

    Here is the scenario:
    The research team is interested in conducting no more than minimal risk research in a foreign country. However, no one on the research team is fluent in the language(s) that the potential participants understand. Due to this, the research team plans on using translators to communicate with the participants.

    How would your office handle this? What would you consider when reviewing the recruitment and consent processes? How would you handle the external translators and their involvement in the study? Would anyone ever consider approve the use of a translation application?

    Any thoughts on this matter is appreciated.

    Regards,



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    Tim Deering
    Human Subjects Research Specialist
    Illinois State University
    tjdeeri@ilstu.edu
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  • 2.  RE: External Translators

    Posted 05-14-2021 12:13
    Hi Tim,

    At UC Irvine we require the research team to not only translate the study documents but also provide:
    a) an explanation of their understanding of cultural context and customs
    b) a relationship with a local researcher from that community or some sort of review from a local research institution/organization in that country (if feasible).

    I hope this helps!
    Alicia

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    Alicia Asgari
    Solutions Consultant
    Cayuse
    Portland OR
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  • 3.  RE: External Translators

    RISING STAR CONTRIBUTOR
    Posted 05-17-2021 07:31
    Hi Tim,

    We ran into something similar and my IRB was a bit uneasy, but we did allow it. Here is what we did.  We ensured everything was translated and scripted, and had a back translation done.  We asked the translators to complete a modified CITI training so they understood their role, in this particular translation.  We asked that the researchers hire professional translators, not simply College students in the the country.  Given your situation is not more than minimal risk, this may be more than what is needed.
    Good luck!

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    Kris A. Monahan, Ph.D.
    Director Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance
    Providence College
    Providence, RI
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  • 4.  RE: External Translators

    STAR CONTRIBUTOR
    Posted 05-20-2021 10:58
    I will offer that I wouldn't recommend attempting to use a translation app until they are much better at handling idioms/lingo.   Right now they definitely are not and the translation can end up being very confusing.

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    Lorraine Bell
    Training Program Coordinator
    University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
    Aurora CO
    303 724-2317
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  • 5.  RE: External Translators

    RISING STAR CONTRIBUTOR
    Posted 05-20-2021 11:03
    I totally agree that the translator apps are not very effective especially for very precise translation needed for informed consent language.

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    Kris A. Monahan, Ph.D.
    Director Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance
    Providence College
    Providence, RI
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