Tests Adaptation in cross-cultural comparative studies

Abstract

The globalization phenomenon, the emigration and its needs of adaptation, the students mobility strengthened by the European Higher Education convergence, and the interest of the countries in stabilising international psychological and educative standards that make possible comparative studies, are some of the factors that has been promoted the interest about the instruments used in cross-cultural studies. The differences found should be based on real differences and not on other factors (culture, language, etc.) that could contaminate the interpretation of the results. Considering this problem the main objective of this paper is to analyse the phases established by the International Test Commission in test adaptation and translation. We try to show these phases in a simple way in order to provide a practical guide to the people related to psychological and educational evaluation.