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Abstract #153251

Griselda I. Lopez, MHA¹, Maria Figueroa, BA¹, Sarah Connor, MPH, CHES¹, and Sally L. Maliski, RN, PhD². (1) Urology, UCLA, BOX 951738, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1738, 310-794-7960, grlopez@mednet.ucla.edu, (2) Nursing, UCLA, BOX 956918, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6918

Historically, nursing has utilized qualitative methodology in an effort to understand cultural differences. However, when conducting qualitative research in a language other than the researcher's primary language, there are a variety of barriers to ensuring the collection of reliable and valid information. A review of current literature shows that researchers often fail to address the effect that the translation process has on collected data.

Standard qualitative methodology is to transcribe interviews directly into the receptor language. This presentation will describe a new methodology, which transcribes into the source language and then translates the information. Sixty participants representing a diverse Latino population experiencing treatment-related side effects from prostate cancer were interviewed in Spanish. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and back translated by bilingual/bicultural staff members. Differences in translation were resolved by review of the translation staff. To control for translation variations, a compendium of words not found in standard Spanish dictionaries, or not used in the appropriate manner, was created. This compendium assisted in successfully analyzing concepts and meanings where regional variations in Spanish could have affected the analyses.

We believe it is imperative to adapt existing research methodologies to more effectively utilize qualitative data collected in the researcher's non-primary language. Our methodology more accurately conveys the true meaning of the participant's experience. This methodology is both more appropriate and meaningful, and opens doors to researchers who are interested in conducting research in a language other than their own, which subsequently broadens fields.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify barriers to conducting qualitative research in a language other than the researcher’s primary language.
• Participants will be able to discuss the limitations of conducting qualitative research in a language other than the researcher’s primary language.
• Participants will be exposed to a new qualitative research methodology that expands the ability of researchers to conduct qualitative research in languages other than the primary language.

Keywords: Latino, Public Health Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.