Adaptation of Psychometric Tools in Bangladesh

Adaptation of Psychometric Tools in BangladeshRoufun NaherIntroductionMeasurement refers to a mathematical branch which identifies the value of a duodecimal variable through its numerical relationship to an separate value (Michell, 1990). For example, we sine qua non to know the body temperature of a particular person. Suen (1990) studys, The science of developing educational and mental tests and measurement procedures has become highly sophisticated and has developed into such(prenominal) a large body of knowledge that it is considered a scientific redress of enquiry in its own right. This discipline is referred to as psychometrics. Presently, psychological researchers argon intended to conduct cross-cultural researches and they mustiness have undeviating and valid instruments conducting those researches.Psychology is a growing field in Bangladesh twain for research and make. A number of psychological researchers of Bangladesh give emphasis on quantitative research which requires standardized instruments to measure behaviors and mental processes. However, the reasonable mode to get an instrument can be cross-cultural modification whereas increment of a new instrument is relatively tricky and time consuming. Meanwhile, many another(prenominal) researchers varyed numerous instruments or psychometric tools to measure a value of behaviors and mental processes of human being.The registration of psychometric tools differs in the process, flying field design, take in technique, archetype sizing, reliability and validity. Therefore, the objective of the present content is to systematically analyse the allowance of psychometric tools in Bangladesh, more specifically the adaptation procedure and research methodology. Table 1 shows the recap.Sousa Rojjanasrirat (2010) provided a user-friendly guideline for supplanting, adaptation and validation of instruments or scales for use in cross-cultural strongness bring off research. The guideline in cludes seven steps for the adaptation of psychometric tools. The steps are (1) Forward interpretation, (2) Comparison of the two translated versions (synthesis I), (3) Blind back-translation, (4) Comparison of two back-translated versions (synthesis II), (5) navigate exam of the pre-final version, (6) Preliminary psychometric testing of the pre-final version, (7) Full psychometric testing of the pre-final version.Table 1The Review of the Adaptation of Psychometric Tools in Bangladesh regularity of ReviewThe aim of this systematic review is to investigate the quality and utility(prenominal) of psychometric tools adapted in Bangladesh. For conducting this review, the psychological journals published in diametrical public universities were taken for literature review. Then the studies on adaptation of psychometric tools were picked up initially. Finally sextuplet pilot film papers on adaptation of psychometric tools which met the criteria of actual systematic review were select ed from these journals. Among them four papers were selected from The capital of Bangladesh University ledger of Psychology and two other papers were selected from Jagannath University daybook of Psychology.Eligible Criteria The papers were basically selected based on the following criteriaHas the written report been done in the context of Bangladesh?Has it been done on the adaptation of psychometric tools for use in Bangladesh?Whether it is an original study or review?Whether it is published?Results of ReviewInformation about the Reviewed StudiesAll the selected studies represent the adaptation of psychometric tools for use in Bangladesh. The pervasive developmental disorder appraisal scale presented in first study (shown in table 1) contains 40 items and 3 subscales. Similarly, the inventory of interpersonal problems contains 64 items and 8 subscales. The inferiority questionnaire and the Bangla parental power-prestige questionnaire contain 20 and 10 items respectively. The q uestionnaire on stress in pubic louse patient contains 23 items and 5 homogenous subscales shown in fifth study of table 1. Finally the Warnick-Ebinburgh mental wellbeing scale is composed of 10 items. The sample size of the reviewed studies ranges between 50 and 232. Only the first study shown in review table followed random sampling technique. On the contrary, other five studies followed convenience and purposive sampling technique. The design of all half dozen studies was cross-sectional survey. The reliability ranges between .72 and .96. In case of validity virtually of the studies followed content and construct validity.Adaptation Process Followed by the StudiesResearchers of three studies (such as study number 1, 3, and 5 shown in table 1) among six noticeed that they followed the way provided by International Test Commission (ITC). However, the researchers of other studies did not mention that which guideline they followed during adaptation.The first step of adaptation p rocess is advancing translation by two assorted translators. Two translators should have different soil for example one translator must have the knowledge of health terminology whereas the second translator must possess cultural and lingual knowledge (Sousa Rojjanasrirat, 2010). However, no researcher among six mentioned the background of the translators in their papers. In fact, most of the researchers did not even clarify the different conformations of adaptation process although the reliabilities of the adapted instruments are relatively high. Moreover, the researchers of all the above studies except study number 6 (shown in review table) did not make border with the original developers for their consent and proof reading which is considered as an definitive signifier of adaptation of psychometric tools.On the other hand, the blind back translation step needs two translators who are native speaker of the original language from which the instrument was translated in firs t step. In addition the translators must be chosen form distinct background like the translators of forward translation (Sousa Rojjanasrirat, 2010). It is paradoxical that none of the reviewed studies followed the blind back translation phase strictly.However, the other steps mentioned in introduction part were reasonably followed by the above researchers. That is why the reliabilities of their adapted instruments are relatively satisfactory.Sample size and sampling techniqueWhether the result of a study can be generalized or not, depends on the sample size as well as the sampling technique by which the sample is drawn. Sousa Rojjanasrirat (2010) suggested using ccc to 500 subjects for the adaptation of psychometric tools. Contrary to that all the researcher of current reviewed studies used less than 300 subjects in their research. Moreover, five out of six studies did not use random sampling. That is only available and interested community were the subjects of these studies. Con sequently, Passable generalization may not be possible by these studies.ConclusionMost of the psychological researchers in Bangladesh show interest in quantitative research. Reliable and valid instruments are needed for this type of research. In fact, lots of such instruments or questionnaires have been adapted at different times in Bangladesh. However, after this systematic review it is difficult to say that the researchers could follow standardized adaptation procedure and research methodology to adapt these instruments. Standardized adaptation procedure and research methodology are important because cultural diversity among countries is a gigantic issue of discussion in research world. If the adaptation process of a psychometric tool becomes damage it will not be able to measure a sample of behavior accurately. Ultimately the field of psychology including mental health practice may suffer as it is sometimes very much symbiotic on the psychological tests and measurement. The fur ther research on adaptation of psychometric tools in Bangladesh should follow the standardized procedure and research methodology strictly.ReferencesAhmed, F., Uddin, M. K., Islam, M. J. (2011). Preliminery evidences for psychometricproperties of the bangla parental power-prestige questionnaire. 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