title: Using Qualitative Methods to Assess the Conceptual Equivalence of the Spanish and English Stroke Action Test (STAT).
abstract: Members of racial/ethnic minorities, in contrast to majority groups, experience disparities in stroke risk factors, recognition, evaluation, and treatment. This article describes the use of qualitative methods to examine the cultural and lifestyle appropriateness, clarity of item-wording, comprehension of item intent, and conceptual equivalence of the developed Spanish and the revised English Stroke Action Test (which includes three additional atypical stroke symptoms more common in women). Thirty in-depth cognitive interviews were conducted (10 in Spanish) using concurrent structured probes. The desired ultimate outcome was to obtain conceptually equivalent measures in both languages. Four sources of variability in comprehension were identified: unfamiliar and/or idiosyncratic Spanish words used in translation; phrases in the original (English) and in the literal (Spanish) translation that were not understood; and unclear intended meaning of the original (English) items. Cognitive interviews helped identify problematic items, highlighted potential response errors, and provided insight regarding putative causes for inconsistent interpretation.
authors.affiliation: 1 Hebrew Home at Riverdale, Research Division, Riverdale, New York, USA.|2 Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Mildred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.affiliation: 1 Hebrew Home at Riverdale, Research Division, Riverdale, New York, USA.|2 Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York, USA.|3 Columbia University Stroud Center, New York City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Jeanne A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Teresi
authors.affiliation: 4 New York University School of Medicine, New York City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Gbenga
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ogedegbe
authors.affiliation: 5 Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Olajide
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Williams
keywords: Blacks; Hispanics; New York City; STAT; qualitative; qualitative methods; stroke