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Dear Colleagues,

A while ago we sent out a request for advice regarding survey translation and participation incentives for global samples. We received twelve responses. We would like to thank all who have replied for their helpful suggestions. Their contributions are summarized below:

Survey Translation

• Researchers need to pay close attention to the translation process and construct/measurement equivalence. Recommendations on best practices may be found in related articles (e.g., articles by Mark Peterson, by Jeanne Brett and colleagues, and by Kwok Leung and colleagues);
  
• For large universities that have a diverse student population, researchers could hire students who are native speakers of the targeted languages and pay them based upon a mutually agreed upon set rate for their service time;
  
• Researchers can identify the local universities where a degree/research program in our area is strong, and ask the program’s dean or professors to forward an invitation to professors and doctoral students to help with translations;
  
• Qualtrics has the ability to make literal translations. Researchers may use Qualtrics to make the initial translation, but will then need someone familiar with the language to verify and offer understandable translations; and
  
• Professional translation services cost more, and the quality of services varies dramatically. We received a recommendation for a professional translation service that has been successfully used by our colleague. The company is called Interpro Translation Solutions (http://www.interproinc.com/).
  

Incentives for Participants

• Electronic gift certificates: Amazon, iTunes, Starbucks, and Wal-Mart. These gift certificates can be emailed to most countries in the world, but participants have to be willing to give you their email address. Additionally, these gift certificates may be less valuable to people living in countries where the companies do not have a presence or distribution facilities; and
  
• Charitable donations: donate money to a charity of the participant’s choice if the participant completes the survey. Researchers usually provide a few charity options. This might work especially well with international subjects if the researcher picks charities that address global issues such as Doctors without Borders.
  

Other Related Issues

• Having colleagues in the countries where we conduct research would be very helpful in terms of handling translation and survey/incentive distribution;
  
• Some countries block selected websites. Thus, researchers need to make sure the survey website works inside the foreign county;
  
• Response rates are very important; and
  
• The value of the research increases dramatically if researchers can include separate-source ratings from third parties that can be linked to what we receive from our respondents.