Adaptación de instrumentos entre culturas: ejemplos de procedimientos seguidos para medir las expectativas hacia el alcohol en el ámbito argentino

Abstract

A test developed to measure a psychological variable cannot be directly used in a different group. Indeed, it is important to perform a series of tasks to ensure adequate psychometric properties for the new application of the test. The literature suggests three different level of adaptation of a test: application, adaptation and assembled. The International Tests Commission established a number of recommendations designed to minimize the error in the process of adaptation of instruments. In this framework, this study aims to provide a description of the different adaptation processes followed to obtain instruments to measure alcohol expectancies. To pursue this goal, each of the experiences is presented as an independent study. Results showed how a higher level of complexity in the type of adaptation performed, and therefore in control bias, is reflected by improvements in psychometric adequacy of the instruments. All examples presented allow highlighting the importance of considering the particular social and cultural aspects of the target.